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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



OF THE 



Incorporation of the Town 



OF 



JUNE 22, 1881. 



INCLUDING 



ADDRESSES, POEMS, LETTERS, AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING 
TO THE OCCASION. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 





/ 



/' 



y 



cente:n:nial anniversary 



OF THE 



IJIWRPORATION OF THE TOWN 



OF 

V / 



Groslien, IVIass., 



JUNE 22, 1881. 



INCLUDING 

ADDRESSES, POEMS, LETTERS, AXD OTHER MATTERS RELATING 
TO THE OCCASIOX. 

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



HEADING : 

CHRONICLE JOB PRIXT. 

1S81. 



nv 



^1i 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The town of Goshen was incorporated May 14th, 1781. On the 
approach of the One Hundredth anniversary of that event the citi- 
zens were moved to take measures for its proper observance. At 
the annual town meeting held March 1, 1880, Alvan Barrus, George 
Dresser, Hiram Packard, Timothy P. Lyman, John Henry Godfrey, 
Theron L. Barrus and Alouzo Shaw were chosen a committee to ma- 
ture plans and make all necessary arrangements for celebrating the 
town's centennial birthday. The committee organized and finally 
decided that inasmuch as the date of incorporation, May 14, came 
in a busy season of the year, and liable to cool and stormy weather, 
that it was advisable to fix the day of celebration at a later date. 
It was accordingly voted to have the anniversary exercises on the 
22d of June, and a card of invitation was issued in the following 
language : 

1781 WELCOME HOME. issi 

All persons interested in the Town of Goshen, Mass., 

either by residence, marriage ^ descent or otherwise, 

are cordially invited to participate in the celebration 

of the One Hundredth Anniversary of her incorpo= 

ration, June 22, 1881. 

A. Barrus, Geo. Dresser, H. Packard ^ g^^^^ ? Committee. 

J. H. Godfrey, T. P. Lyman, T. L. Barrus, ' S 



The committee also adopted the following order of exercises r 
1781 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 18&1. 

OF THE 

Incori'Oration of the Town of Goshen, 

ON 

Wednesday, June 22d, 18S1. 

Alvan Barrus, President of the Day. « 
T. p. Lyman, Chief Marshal. 

Hiram Barrus, Esq., Historian. 

Mrs. M. Leora 8. HouciHXON,. Poet. 

Rev. J. E. M. WRKiiix, Chaplain. 

Centennial Committee. 

Alvan Barrus, Chairman. J. H. Godfrey. 

George Dresser, Sec'y. T. P. Lyman. 

Hiram Packard, Treas. T. L. Barrus. 

Alonzo Shaav. 

Exercises in R. E. Smith's Grove, one-half mile north of the center. 

Procession formed near the chnrch at 10 o'clock A. M. 

Led hy Haydenvillc Brass Band. 

Chief Marshal and Aids. 

President of the Day, and His Excellency, Gov. Long. 

Chaplain, Historian and Poet. 

Invited Guests, Members of the Press. 

Sons and Daughters returned. 

Marsha] . 

Committee of Arrangements. 

Clergy, Soldiers of the late war. 

Officers of Neighboring Towns, Marshal. 

Citizens of Goshen and other Towns. 

Exercises at the Grove. 

Music by the Band. 
-Singing. — Hymn by Rev. J. E. M. Wright. — Tune, America. 

God of our fatliers now 
, In reverence we bow, 

Our songs we raise, 
At tlij- blest mercy seat, 



Together here we meet , 
And in conimiinion sweet 

Thy name ^ve praise. 

Our fathers loved these hills, 
These rocks and mountain i-ills, 

In bygone days ; 
Hut they have passed away, 
And we look back to-day 
A himdred years, when they 

Here sang thy praise. 

May children's children know 
Our father's God, and go 

In wisdom's ways; 
Look upward to the skies. 
In trutli and virtue rise. 
And take the heavenly prize 

In youthful days. 

Let flocks and herds increase, 
Let blight and mildew cease. 

In coming years, 
Save from devouring hail. 
May nothing wrong assail. 
Prosperity prevail. 

Save from all fears. 

May heaven's light and love 
Beam on us from above 

As years go by. 
May future days be bright 
With learning's blessed light, 
Religion cheer our sight 

And lead on high. 

Invocation. Hymn. Prayer. 

Reading' Act of Corporation by Hon. Henry B. Peirce, 

Sec'y of Commonwealth. Historical Address. 

Anthem by Choir. Benediction. 

Basket Picnic upon the Grounds, preceded by Blessing. 

Free Table for distant guests, Band and Soldiers. 

Returning of Thanks. 

Auld Lang 8yne, — Choir, Audience and Band uniting. 

Address of Welcome, by the President of the Day. Poem. 

Toasts, Sentiments and Responses will be a large feature of the occasion. 

The programme was carried out iu nearly every particular. Mrs. 
Houghton not being present, her poem was read by Rev. D. G. 
Wright, D, D. Hon. James White of Boston courteously accepted 



6 

the place assigned to the Secretary of the Commouwealth. Dea. 
T. L. Barrus was chosen Toastmaster, but want of time prevented 
the toasts being given. 

The excellent report of the exercises by Editor Henry S. Gere, 
Esq., pubhshed in the Hampshire Gazette of June 28, is copied in 
these pages nearly entire. Several speeches delivered on the oc- 
casion have since been kindly furnished by the authors, and are 
also here presented. 



GOSHEN'S CENTENNIAL. 

A PLEASANT DAY, GREAT GATHERING, AND INTERESTING EXERCISES. 



As was anticipated, the number of people gathered in Goshen on 
Wednesday last, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the 
town's incorporation, was greater than was ever seen there before. 
The day was fair, though cold and breezy in the morning. People 
came in from all the region roundabout in great numbers, and the 
number present must have been 2,500 to 3,000. Promptly at 10 
o'clock, the procession was formed in front of the church and hotel, 
under the marshalship of Lieut. Timothy P. Lyman. It was led by 
the Haydenville Brass Band, and included a large body of veteran 
soldiers under the lead of Capt. C. E. Tileston of Williamsburg. 
Hundreds of loaded vehicles of all descriptions fell into line, swell- 
ing the procession to over a mile in length. The grounds selected 
for the exercises were on land of Ralph E. Smith, about a mile north 
of the hotel. There, at the foot of a hill, a large platform was 
erected and seats provided for many, while the rising ground in 
front afforded favorable sitting places for hundreds more. The ex- 
ercises were opened with music by the band, followed by the sing- 
ing of the centennial hymn, written by Rev. Mr. Wright, the village 
pastor. This was sung by a large choir, to the tune of America, 
the audience joining. A fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Amos 
Dresser of Nebraska, who v^as distinguished in old abolition times, 
when to be an anti-slavery man was to be unpopular. Mr. Dresser 
bears upon his back the marks of twenty stripes received while dis- 
tributing bibles in the South, because one of them was found wrap- 
ped in an anti-slavery paper. Then came the singing of another 
hymn by the choir, followed by the reading of the act of incorpora- 
tion, by Hon. James White of Boston, a native of the town.* Then 

* Not exactly a native : he was born in Hinsdale about two months after liis parents' re- 
moval from Goshen. The petition tor tlie incorporation of tlie town M'as drawn up by Wil- 
liam White, Esq., grandfather of Hon. .James White. 



8 

came the Historical Address by Hiram Barrus, Esq., of BostouL 
Mr. Barrus is a native of the town, and lived there many years. 
About 20 years ago, soon after President Lincoln was first inaugu- 
rated, he received a minor appointment in the Boston custom 
house under Collector John Z. Goodrich, and has gradually worked 
his way up to one of the most responsible positions, that of assist- 
ant cashier, which he now holds. He has given a great deal of 
time and labor to the preparation of a complete history of Goshen, 
which has recently appeared in book form, comprising one of the 
most complete town histories ever published — a credit to its au- 
thor and an honor to the town. The delivering of the address oc- 
cupied about an hour, and was listened to attentively by those near 
the speaker, but many were prevented from hearing it by the noise 
of the wind sweeping through the overhanging trees. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

BY HIRAM BARRUS, ESQ., OF BOSTON. 

Had we stood where we now stand 120 years ago this moruiug, 
we might have heard the sound of two axes, with an occasional 
crash of a falling tree. The spot where it fell is in a southwest di- 
rection, on the land now owned by Amos Hawks. The men who 
wield the axes are David Stearns and Abijah Tucker, young men of 
about 30 years of age. They have come from Dudley to make in 
this wilderness their future home. Their families have come with 
them as far as Nortbaaipton, where they will spend the summer, 
while the log cabin is prepared for their reception here. The 
months wear away, the first harvest is gathered in, and the two 
wives and five children are brought to their homes. They are (juiet 
homes. The nearest neighbor is a long distance away through the 
pathless woods, in New Hiugham, which we now call Chesterfield. 
Westward, there is no inhabitant this side of Poutoosuc, now call- 
ed Pittsfield. Plainfield is unnamed and unknown, and the nearest 
white person in that direction is in Fort Massachusetts at East 
Hoosic, now Adams. In the northeast part of Huntstown, now Ash- 
field, there is a fort and a few settlers. Conway is yet a part of 



9 

Deerfield, aud has eo iuhabitaut. Williamsburg, or '' Hatfield three 
mile Grant," is known only as the " Dark Woods," and probably has 
not received its first settler. 

The French and Indian war had virtually ended by the surrender 
of Canada to Great Britain in 1760, one year earlier. For more than 
120 years the inhabitants of old Hampshire county have been more 
or less exposed to attacks from the Indians. Children had been 
horn, says Holland, grown up to manhood, and descended to old 
age, knowing little or nothing of peace and tranquility. Hundreds 
had been killed, and large numbers had been carried into captivity. 
Men, women aud children had been butchered by scores. There is 
hardly a square acre, certainly not a square mile, in the Connecticut 
Valley, that has not been tracked by the flying feet of fear, re- 
sounded with the groan of the dying, drunk the blood of the dead, 
or served as the scene of toils, made doubly toilsome by an appre- 
hension of danger that never slept. It was among such scenes and 
such trials as these, that the settlements of Western Massachusetts 
were planted. It was by these scenes and trials that their sinews 
were knit to that degree of strength, that when the incubus of war 
and fear was lifted, they sprang to those enterprises of peace that 
have transformed the hills into an abode of plenty, aud a seat of 
free education and free religion. 

The influx of immigrants in the spring of 17G2 must have been 
quite extensive all along the line of this town aud Chesterfield. 
William White of Charlton was one of these. He received a deed 
of land here May 17, 1762, from Gad Lyman, then of Northampton, 
but later of Goshen. 

Col. Ezra May, from Woodstock, Conn., with ten men to assist him 
in his labors, came about the same time, with '' old Mr. Corbin and 
wife to do their cooking." The north bound of his farm was a few 
feet south of the present church. White took the third hundred 
acre lot south of May's, and boarded with May during the first year. 
The next lot, north of May's, on which the church now stands, was 
taken by Lieut. Lemuel Lyou, also from Woodstock, and probably 
the same year. 

Capt. Robert Webster, from Dudley, with his wife aud one child, 
also came this year. There may have been a few other arrivals up- 



10 



on our territoiy at this time, but probably not. Farther south, on 
huid now included in Chesterfield, there was, doubtless, a greater 
number. 

Other settlers upon our territory that came within a tew years, 
were Asa G-ranj from Wrentham, John James and Zebulon Willcutt 
from Cohasset, Joseph Blake and Edward Orcutt from Hingham, 
Eeuben and Moses Dresser, and Eben Putney from Charlton, Thomas 
and Daniel Brown and the five Banister brothers — John, Lemuel, 
Christopher, Barzillai and William — and probably Artemas and Syl- 
vaiuis Stone, from Brookfield, Jt)shua Abell from Kehoboth, Capt. 
John Bigelow, Isaac Kingman, James and Joshua Packard from 
Bridgewater, Dr. Benjamin Burgess and Samuel Mott from Tisbury, 
John Smith, Timothy Lyman, Benjamin Parsons and his sous, Eben- 
ezer, Justiu, Solomon, Silas and Benjamin, from Northampton, 
Thomas Weeks and Ambrose Stone from (Ireenwich, and WiUiam 
Hallock from Long Island. 

William White was a man efficient and promi)t to act in every 
good cause. He was one of the first that went to the country's de- 
fence, on the alarm that followed the battle of Lexington. He drew 
up the ])etition for the incorporation of the town, was its towu 
clerk for some thirty years, selectman for many terms, justice of 
the i)eace thirty-five years, Eepresentative to the General Court, 
and delegate to many important conventions. 

Col. Ezra May, a man of such acknowledged ability, that upon 
the incorporation of Chesterfield, which included his farm, ho was, 
in the very first year of his residence here, chosen the modei'ator 
of the first town meeting in Chesterfield, and constable and cliair- 
man of the selectmen. He was first deacon of the church iu that 
town, went early into the army, rose to the rank of Colonel, was iu 
the battle of Sai'atoga, and at the taking of Burgoyne, where he 
took a violent cold, which resulted in his death a few months later, 
at the early age of 46 years. Two of his sons, ISTehemiah and Dex- 
ter, were in the army with him. 

Thomas Weeks, from Greenwich, went down to Lexington with a 
small company of men, and was with the army near Boston in 
1775-6. He was a man of more than usual education for his time, 
had been deputy sheriff in W^orcester county for many years, and 
served as paymaster for the troops. He left many records and sev- 
eral journals of the scenes through which he passed, and from 



11 

which it appears, that in 1777, he was at the surrender of Ticou- 
deroga ; an event which he branded with the terms — "Shame, in- 
famy, disgrace." He was an able surveyor, laid out many of the 
highways of the town, was often employed in running the boundaries 
of the land, and was the first town clerk of Goshen, the first sub- 
scriber to the papers for the organization of the church, and a dele- 
gate to the convention that formed the constitution of the state.* 

Dr. Benjamin Burgess came during the Eevolutionary War, and, 
for a long period, was one of the leading phj^sicians of this vicinity. 
He was a man of sound judgment and strong common sense, and 
was often called to serve in town aflfidrs. He came from Martha's 
Vineyard, bringing his wife with him. Before setting sail for the 
mainland, his wife quilted what money they had — $1,000 in gold — 
into the skirts of her dress for greater security if they fell into the 
hands of the British, whose vessels were troubling our coasters. 
They were once fired upon during the voyage, but escaped un- 
harmed. 

Dea. Oliver Taylor was another impcrtant man in the affairs of 
the town and church. He was a man of great firmness of charac- 
ter, and seems to have had things pretty much in his own way. He 
was first deacon of the church, an office he held for nearly forty 
years ; was four times elected to represent the town in the Legis- 
lature, and was Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. He enlisted 
in the army of the Revolution, but was sent home to work at his 
trade — that of a tanner — as his services for his country in sup- 
plying leather for shoes for the army were more important, as a 
tanner, than they could be as a soldier. 

John James, the moderator of the first town meeting called by 
the selectmen, and the first merchant in town, was a man of much 
force of character, and a successful man of business. He died in 
1804, leaving to the town a donation of SlOO to be kept on interest 
for one hundred years. After ihat time the income is to be devot- 
ed to the support of schools and the gospel, and for such other pur- 
poses as may be desirable. 

Reuben Dresser, from Charlton, was another of the stuidy yeo- 
manry who was among the early settlers. He made large purchases 



* Capt. Weeks was delegate to the convention from Chesterfield Gore. 
White and Luke IJonney were the delegates from Chesterfield. Tlie conveuti 
its sittings September 1," 1779, and closeil its work .luiie 10, 1780. 



Capt. William 
ion commenced 



12 

of Itmd, employed many workmen, set out extensive orchards, 
and built, it is said, on his own land, fifteen miles of heavy stone 
wall, much of which stands to the present time. The farm is still 
in possession of his descendants. 

Chestertleld was incorporated June 11, 1762. It included the ter- 
ritory called New Hingham, and the "First Additional Grant, or 
Narragansett No. 4," which brought the north line of the town near 
the Goshen meeting house. In January, 1763, a petition was sent 
to the General Court from the people of the Gore, which was the 
land lying between the church and Ashtield, asking to be annex- 
ed to Chestertleld. This was so promptly done by the Court 
that, no notice having been given, Chesterfield waked up one fine 
morning surprised to find its territory enlarged by the addition of 
3,500 acres of land it had never asked for. It rubbed its eyes, saw 
that it meant the removal of the church location to some unknown 
point uorthward, and sent at once a counter petition for a speedy 
divorce, which was granted in Jnne following. 

But we must pass to another )natter that antedates tlie town. 
The war of the Revolution approaches and our men are prepared 
for the event. A company of minute men, of which Robert Web- 
ster has been made captain, Christopher Banister lieutenant. Wil- 
liam White sergeant, has beeu organized, and when the alarm sent 
out after the battle of Lexington reaches this place, April 21, two 
days after the battle, the order is given, and officers and men, 44 
in all, are on their way to the seat of war. Thirty-nine of these 
continued in the service, and join Gen. Pomeroy's regiment, and fif- 
teen men return home after terms of service varying from seven 
days to thirty-seven/ The men that returned receive one penny 
per mile for travel out and back, and about 25 cents per day as 
wages. The records of these facts are on file in the State House in 
Boston, and similar papers left by Capt. Webster are in possession 
of his grandson, Wm. H. Webster. Timothy Lyman, Artemas Stone, 
Reuben Dresser, Christopher and Barzillai Banister, Oliver Taylor, 
Caleb Cushman, Nehemiah May were among those enrolled and thus 
early entered the service. 

In 1777-8, Gen. Burgoyne was on his march from the north 
across the country, designing, as the people feared, to devastate 
and destroy all that lay in his pathway. A call for volunteers to 



13 

meet at Bennington, and oppose his pron^ress, was read in the pul- 
pits on the Sabbath, and tlie next morning nien were on their way 
thither, armed to meet the foe. The battles of BL^inington and 
Saratoga brought victory to the Americans, and they had the satis- 
focliou' of marching the defeated British General and his army 
across the country as prisoners of war. A portion of the army 
passed through this town, and Capt John Grant, then a small boy, 
who saw them, said there were with the men on foot several ladies 
on horseback. 

We now come to the period of th(^ Inc()ri>orati()n of the Town. 
The '' Gore " seemed to be, in some respects, unfortunately situated. 
Its early settlers, as already stated, had been at one time annexed 
to Chesterfield, but to restore peace, were again set off. Their ne- 
cessities finally compelled them again to appeal to the General 
Court, reciting their grievances, and asking to be incorporated as a 
town. Capt. Thomas Weeks presented the matter to the Court in 
1779 and again in 1781. In January of the latter year, moved by 
the '' petition of Thomas Weeks, agent to the petitioners of a part 
of Chesterfield," also of the " petitioners of a Gore of land called 
Chesterfield Gore," a committee was appointed by the General 
Court to repair to Chesterfield, hear the parties, and report at the 
next session of the Court. The action of the committee may be 
inferred from a letter of which the following is a copy : 

Nouwicn, May 1, 1781. 
giR: _i have left the report of the committee appointed on tlie mat- 
ters relating to the Gore, Narragansett No. 4, and Chestertield, with 
landlord Elislia Lyman and all the papers except yours, left with me, 
-whicli are here inclosed. If you <iO down this session, remember to 
carry down to Court the plan of that pait of Narrajransett No. 4, as 
Capt. White proposed to the committee when at Mr. May's, represent- 
intr those that were willing to be annexed to tlie Gore. Doct. Mather 
and Doct. Shepard propose not to go down this session, and I can't. 
You will do as you think best respecting going down this session or tlie 
next. We have closed our report, whicli if you send, you will have safe- 
ly conveyed to the Secretary as directed. 

Doct. Mather's bill 13 I 9 hard money. 
Doct. Shepard's bill 7 | 10 hard money. 

I am, Sr. your most Humble Serv't, 
To 3Ir. Joshua Ahell. ' John Kikkland.* 

The act of incorporation finally passed May 14, 1781, and was ap- 
proved by John Hancock, Governor. The name given in the act was 

* Mr. Kirkland, a prominent man in Norwich (now Huntington,) was grandfather of Har- 
vey Kirklaml, Esq., of Nortliampton. 



14 

Goshan — probably a clerical error. The origin of the name, as 
given by Dea. Oliver Taylor to his daughter, is said by Mrs. Polly 
Tiltou, grand-daughter of Dea. Taylor, to have been this: — Goshen 
of old was the best part of Egypt, so the name was considered ap- 
propriate for what was claimed to be the best part of Chesterfield. 

The town meeting, for organization, was held pursuant to a war- 
rant issued by Jacob Sherwin, Esq., of Ashfield, May 23, at the 
house of John Williams, which then stood just above the burying 
ground. Lieut. Thomas Weeks was chosen clerk ; Joshua Abell^ 
treasurer; Capt, William White, Lieut. Lemuel Lyon, Maj. Christo- 
pher Banister, selectmen and assessors ; Thomas Brown and Eben- 
ejzer Parsons, constables ; Farnum White, Lemuel Banister, Eben- 
ezer Putney, Lieut. Timothy Lyman, Thomas Weeks and Barzillai 
Banister, highway surveyors ; John Williams, sealer of weights and 
measures; Lemuel Banister and Farnum White, tythingmen; John 
Smith and Maj. Christopher Banister, fence viewers; Samuel Olds, 
leather sealer ; Barzillai Banister, deer-reeve ; Nehemiah May, Dan- 
iel Brown, Barzillai Banister and Lemuel Banister, hog-reeves. 

Three important interests received prompt attention during its 
first year. It was voted to give Mr. Joseph Barker a call to settle 
in the work of the ministry. June 21, it was voted to offer him 
100 pounds as an " encouragement." His salary was to be 40 
pounds the first year and after that to increase annually five pounds, 
until it amounted to sixty pounds. Voted that Lemuel Banister, 
David Stearns and Thomas Brown wait on Mr. Barker with said of- 
fers, but the call was not accepted. 

August 21, voted to raise thirty-six pounds three shillings, for 
paying the bounty and wages of three soldiers for three months, 
and to procure 5 linen shirts, 5 pairs stockings and shoes, and two 
blankets; also 2101 lbs. of beef for the army, all in obedience to 
acts of the General Court, and voted to raise 32 pounds of money 
to pay for beef. 

October 16, the town voted that Ebenezer Putney, Timothy Ly- 
man, Thomas Hamilton, Benjamin Burgess, Oliver Taylor, Christo- 
pher Banister and William Hallock, divide the town into school 
districts. Their report was made and fortunately entered upon the 
town records, and is interesting, as it probably shows the whole 
number of families in town at that time. The town voted to raise 



15 



15 pounds for preaching, and chose Lemuel Banister, Thomas Brown, 
Farnum White, Thomas WeeJis and David Stearns a committee to 
employ a preacher. 

Voted November 15, to raise 25 pounds for schooling. 

Voted to hire Mr. Fowler to preach ten Sabbaths more. 

An incident of the tiuies that is of present interest appears in 
the action of the town in a meeting held Dec. 21. The condition 
of the Sontheru States while in the hands of the British army was 
such as appealed to the North for sympathy and help. The town 
voted that Joshua Abell, its treasurer, " be the person to receive the 
donations that may be given in this town to the sufferers in the 
Southern States, agreeable to a brief from His Excellency, John 
Hancock, and pay to the gentleman said brief directs." The appeal 
was probably not in vain, but we regret that we tiud no record of 
the amount contributed. 

And so ends the first year of tlie town's existence. Properly 
caring for all minor matters, they have thus early shown their 
patriotism in raising men and material for the army of the Union ; 
their wisdom and forethought in laying the foundations of their fu- 
ture prosperity by providing schools for their children and religious 
privileges for all. 

The town, even in the days just alter the Revolution, was some- 
what tinged with the '* greenback " idea, and voted that paper cur- 
rency was absolutely necessary to discharge our quota of the debt 
contracted by the late war. Voted to recommend similar action 
to the neighboring towns. Lemuel Banister was chosen to repre- 
sent the town in a county convention, and a petition was suggested 
to aid the matter in a -'constitutional way." Notwithstanding the 
lessons of the lamentable failure of the continental paper currency, 
the town again voted iu 1786 that it is expedient to have a paper 
currency emitted. William White, Dr. Benj. Burgess and Oliver 
Taylor were ai)pointed to prefer a petition to the General Court for 
that purpose. 

Some of their votes indicate the distress of the times and some 
dissatisfaction with the government. But we are to remember that 
the people of that day were under peculiar trials and hardships. 
The Revolutionary war had been long and exhaustive. The able- 
bodied men had spent years in the army, while their lands at home 



16 

were only partiiiUy clejired. poorly cultivated, or if cultivated at 
all, the labor was perforn:ie(l by women, children and feeble men 
notable to do duty as soldiers; their homes in many cases log 
houses, or only a little better than that ; taxes and debts to be paid 
and scarcely any money to be had, and little or nothing to obtain it 
with among the people generally, even if money were plenty. Put- 
ting ourselves in their place, what would we have done! Very 
much, probably, as they did: Criticised the government, petitioned 
for relief, suggested paper money, got up conventions, passed strong 
resolutions, and then, in a '' constitutional way," waited, as Mr. Mi- 
cawber did, for something to turn up. Here were all the elements 
for a successful rebellion, and Daniel Shays attempted to lead off in 
one. But his lack of ability made his efforts an inglorious fizzle. 
One man who belonged to this town joined his soldiers and was in 
the fight at Springfield. A man next to him was killed when the 
cannon was fired upon his company, and, accepting the truth that 
'^ discretion was the better part of valor," he fled with his terrified 
leader and companions, and eventually returned to his home and 
became a loyal and respected citizen. To the honor of our people 
be it said, that though keenly feeling the trials of their situation, 
they were loyal to the country, and only this one man was found to 
carry a rebel weapon. Brought up as they had been, to have opin- 
ions and to express them, too, they watched with a critical eye eve- 
ry act of the government that looked like want of economy. They 
felt that eternal vigilance was the ])rice of liberty, and when Con- 
gress passed an act granting live years' pay to the officers who had 
served in the continental army, our citizens promptly demurred, 
and passed a vote declaring that they would not pay any continen- 
tal, state or county tax till Congress rescinded the objectionable 
vote. 

We cannot but admire their pluck, but whether this little one 
among the thousands of Judah would be likely to intimidate the 
National Congress, is an unanswered query. 

In 1799 the tov^n passed a vote that seemed a little singular, but 
as our Legislature in 1869 did the same thing for the state, ic was 
evidently a very proper thing to do. The vote of the town was 
that the money raised by the tax on dogs should be appropriated 
for the support of schools. The act of the Legislature passed with- 



m a few years allows the dog tax and requires it to be used tor 
schools or libraries. 

Six years later, (1805) the towu seems to have t)rigiuated auother 
i-dea that the state eventually i)atinto more general practice. The 
town voted that the Selectmen have the care and charge of the 
school books belonging to the towu, and distribute them among the 
schools as they judge proper, indicating beyond (juestion tliat the 
towu furnished the books for tlie scholars, so that none should fail, 
through poverty or other cause, of having the necessary books for 
use in their studies. The state, it will be remembered,, recognized 
the same benevolent principle in the law passed in 187.3, giving 
towns permission to authorize tiieir school committees to purchase 
text books for use of the schools, to be owned by the town and 
loaned to the pu])ils under proper regulations. 

The towu began to choose school committees a quarter of a cen- 
tury before the state required it by law. In 1799, Wm. White, Reu- 
ben Howes, Justin Parsons, Ambrose Stone and Moses James were 
appointed to this office. In 1826, Rev. Joel Wright, Capt. Joseph 
White, Capt. John Grant, Dr. Geo. Wright,* David Carpenter, JareiJ 
Hawks, Jr., and Emmons Putney, the only survivor, aud uow pres- 
ent, were chosen the first general school committee under the act 
of the Legislature. This was the commencement of the new era 
iu the history of Massachusetts schools, whicli, iu a few years plac- 
ed Horace Mann at their head as secretary of the Board of Educa- 
tion, to whom the state is indebted, more than to any other man, 
for what our schools have since become. 

Auother important factor in the educatiou of the early residents 
of the town was a first-class town library. We have no record of 
its origin, not even the date. In Capt. Grant's Journal he speaks of 
attending a library meeting in 1796, and it was continued for many 
years after, but how long we are not informed. 

It contained valuable books, history, biography and travels, and 
we are told that the young men read them. Of one of them it was 
said that he was one of the most thorough studeuts of histoi-y that 
could be found in his time. 

In the paper read before many of you on the centennial of the 

* Dr. Geo. Wright was a genial man anil mueli respected. During his examination for 
license as a physician, he was aski-il how he woiiM indnce perspiration in a patient, to 
which he gave ilie usual answer. Later in tlie examination tlic iincslion was several times 
repeated. Finally, the question was put in tliis torni : If you wishcil to throw the i^atient 
into a ^Jro/oHrtf? perspiration how would you ilo that':' "Bring him before your honors," 
was the candidate's ready and witty rc|ily. 



18 

church, in December last, I gave a somewhat extended history of 
the church. The waut of time, if no other reason, makes it im- 
practicable to euter into many details presented on that occasion. 
But the church has been so important an element in the moral and 
religious education of the town, that no picture of what the town 
and its people have been and have done, can be fair and honest 
which does not give the church a prominent i)lace. It ^\as organ- 
ized Dec. 21, 1780, the foundation indeed of the town itself, which was 
incorporated some months later. This, it will be remembered, was 
the usual order in these matters, the general court from the earliest 
period in the history of the State, never allowing the incorporation 
of a town till the formation, or so)iie (jood proceed'nig in that (hrection, 
was had toward the formation of a churcli within the limits of the 
proposed town. The petition for incorporation of the town brings 
out the idea quite fully. 

The cases of excommunication were rare, and it is worthy of no- 
tice as showing the general good morals of the people, that, strict 
as the church was to detect and call the oflending members to ac- 
count for any and every delinquency, there does not n[)pear to have 
been within its jurisdiction a case of discipline for ofleuces against 
chastity or other tiagraut offence, during the tii-st 50 years of its 
history.* 

For seven years no pastor was settled though many were called. 
When the minister was needed for special occasions in the absence 
of a supply, as in cases of discipline, admitting members, adminis- 
tering the ordinances, the pastors from the neighboring towns on 
invitation, kindly assisted. In one case this seems to have led to 
trouble as indicated by the following vote passed Nov. 2. 1786.: 
'•Then attended to a remonstrance which the Rev. Timothy Allen of 
Chesterfield sent in against this church, for desiring him to assist in 
admitting a person into our church which he supposes was not a fit 
member. Voted to choose a committee of two of the Brethren to 
answer in behalf of the church the above remonstrance." Chose 
Oliver Taylor and Thomas Brown. There may have been two sides 
to the story, but how it was finally disposed of, the records do not 
say. We suspect, however, that the Chesterfield pastor did not con- 
sider tha": turning out a bad member, was e(j[uivalent to receiving a 

* The writer is not a\v;iri,' that any native or resident of Goshen was ever seuteueed to 
State's prison. 



19 

bad one, and so was uot conciliated, for, in tlie latter part of the 
same month, the church wanted his assistance in excommunicating 
a member whom tlteij considered bad, but he declined, and Kev. 
Mr. Bascom was invited to take his place. 

Rev. Samuel Whitman of Ashby, a native of Bridgewater, was 
fiaally installed as the tirst pastor of the church, Jan. 10, 178S. 
Rev. Mr. Allen was moderator of the council, offered prayer and 
preached the sermon. Rev. Juseph Strong of Williamsburg gave 
the charge, and Rev. James Briggs of Cummingtou offered the clos- 
iog prayer. 

The church at this time had about oU members. It had cliosen 
one year previous two deacons, Oliver Taylor and Artemas Stone. 
They were strong men and no church could have better material from 
which to select their leading officials. Among them were W^illiam 
Hallock and his two sons, Jeremiah and Moses ; Nehemiah I\Iay, 
Ebenezer Putney ; Joseph, Christopher and Lemuel Banister; Far- 
num White, Justin Parsons and Dr. Benj. Burgess, 

And so the church, with an earnest and efficient membershi[), pro- 
vided with an able pastor and faithful assistants, settles down to its 
ai)propriate work. For a whole generation it moves quietly on un- 
der the same pastor, exerting au influence for good tliat was felt 
through the whole community. 

In addition to what is now considered the legitimate work of 
the pastor there was a special work among the young in the way 
of religious instruction. The Westminister Catechism was taught 
at hoaie and in the schools. Every Saturday P. M. it was the duty 
of the pastor to visit some one or more schools and require the pu- 
pils to recite the catechism to him, he in turn giving such exi)lana- 
tions and instructions as each case reipiired. When the schools 
were not in session the pastor met the children at private liouses 
for catechising and instructing them in religious truth. It was 
on one of these occasions that a boy, who evidently needed some 
instruction, was asked by Mr. Whitman, " Who was the first man ? " 
" Well," says the boy, '• I duimo certain, it was rather late when 
I got here, but 1 believe it was Adam, or Eve, or Methusaleh." 

The church was early alive to the work of missions and a mis- 
sionary society was formed for promoting the cause. The result of 
this is seen in the number of young men, natives, or sometime 



20 



residents here, whoengaged in missionar.y work. Among them were 
Rev. Levi Parsons, son of Dea. Justin, wlio was one of the lii'st two 
missionaries from tlie United States to Palestine, and Eev. Horatio 
Bardwell, D. D., missionary to Bombay and afterwards agent of tlie 
American Board, of whom his biographer said, " The key to his en- 
tire life and character is found in his consecration to the work of 
missions." Kev. Ralph Cushman went to Kentucky as a home mis- 
sionary, and was afterwards appointed General Secretary of the 
American Home Missionary Society for the Western States. Calvin 
Cushman, Elijah Bardwell, brother of Hiuatio, together with Mr. 
John Smith, went out as missionaries with their families, to the 
Choctaws in Mississippi in 1820. The voyage down the Mississippi 
River, and that of Mr. Smith up the Yazoo, the sickness and death 
on the way of his oldest sou, and the burial a hundred miles from 
any human habitation, with the bark peeled trom a tree to mark 
the grave, were some of the thrilling incidents that marked the 
way to their held of labor. Miss Electa May, daughter of Nehe- 
miah, married Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, the missionary, and accom- 
panied the Choctaws across the Mississippi to their new home. 
Sarah Bardwell, sister of Rev. Horatio, married Rev. James Rich- 
ards and went missionary to Ceylon. Hannah, daughter of Eben- 
ezer Putney, was the wife of John Smith,* who went with him to the 
Choctaw mission. Alvan Stone, in theearly history of Hliuois, went 
out to that state and engaged in active work as a home missionary 
till removed by an early death. 

Time would fail me to do anything like justice to the memory of 
a score of others like minded who have entered the ministry and 
done noble service for Christianity. I may mention, however, Jere- 
miah Hallock and his brother Moses, both long in the field and effi- 
cient laborers — Jeremiah 40 years at Canton, Conn. ; Moses a still 
longer term in Plaintield, fiither of Rev. William A. Hallock, the 

* Willarii Bai-rows in 1836 was employed in makiiiif stirveys for the U. S. Government in 
^Mississippi, " Learning," he says, " that one of theniissiouaiies, Fatlier Smith, still liveil 
in the vicinity, I called on him at an early hour the next nidrniug. It was one of those 
clear beautiful movniniis of a Sdiithei'u winter. As 1 reached (he door of his rude cabin, I 
heard the \<>icc of jirayer. The jiioncer Christian was praisiiij;- (oid, in the stilhiess of the 
morninj;-, thalhehadbrnuiclit hiui thrduuli sn many trials and dangers. When the service was 
ended J entered ami iiitrnduced myself. jNlr. Siinth l\ad lost his first wile in the eai-ly jiart 
of his scttlenu'nt there and hail marricil anotlier. A larjce family of si)ri,L;htly anilhand- 
sonie cliildren surroundeil him, while with clear recollections of the days of diirkness and 
distress, he related his trials on the journey into tlie wilderness. I>ut^ said the old man, 
as the teais rolled down his furrowed cheeks, ' I have never remettecl my c(indnK here. God 
semis comfort antl blessinjr to us, as his missionaries, more than we deserve.'" — Rev. Dr. 
Barrows' " Ticclre Xiyhtx in the Hunter's Camp." 



21 

long time secretary of the Aaierican Tract Society in N. Y., and Gir- 
ard Hallock of the Journal of Commerce. It is said that *Rev, Moses 
Hallock fitted more men for the ministry than any other man of his 
time, and that so well were his pupils fitted for college that his own 
sons were educated by Williams College without charge. Then fol- 
lows Rev. Justin Parsons, one of a large family that came from North- 
ampton, a man of energy, good judgment, h()n(jred by the town and 
church with the highest oftices in their gift, turning his attention to 
the ministry wheu more than 50 years of age, preaching more than 
40 years, building a church for his people at his -own expense, 
helping Lane Seminary in its early struggles for existence, giving 
a son to labor and die a missionary in Palestine, haviug a daugh- 
ter who married a clergyman, — the pareots of our new U. S. Min- 
ister to France, Hou. Levi Parsons Morton of New York. Justin 
Parsons had also two brothers who lived here and finally became 
preachers — Eev. Silas and Rev. Benjamin Parsons. Silas had also 
a son, Erastus, born here probably, became a preacher and labored 
with remarkable success during a short but active life. Rev. Ru- 
fus Cushman, brother of Rev. Ralph, was 22 years pastor of a 
church in Fair Haven. Vt., was a man full of good works, faithful 
and beloved. His son, Rufus Cushman, D. D., 24 years i-i the min- 
istry, died a few years since in Manchester, Vt. 

Rev. Joseph S. Burgess, of Lewiston, Me., whom we rejoice to 
have with us to-day, is another of the faithful pastors who reckon 
their nativity here. We expect him to speak for himself, l)ut will 
take the libierty of saying what he may not choose to say himself, that 
his labors have been crowned with such success that he has had 
the happiness of receiving into the membership of the churches, 
over which he has been placed, about 700 members on profession. 

Another pastor whose boyhood drew health, inspiration and effi- 
ciency from these hills and among this people, Rev. D. Grosvenor 
Wright, D. D., of Poughkeepsie, a sou of the second pastor of the 
church here, long remembered and well beloved, is also with us to 
join in our celebration, to receive our hearty welcome, and we hope 
also to take part in these exercises. 

We cannot forbear naming other pastors in this connection. Rev. 

* Eev. Moses Hallock settleil in Plainrteld, the first pastor of the Congregational Church, 
July 11, 179i, and ministered to a confiding and united people 45 years. He received to the 
Chui-'-h358 members, instructed 304 pupils, of whom 50 became" ministers and 7 misiion- 
aries. 



22 

Jason Olds, a worthy son of Goshen, long in the ministry in Ohio ; 
Eev. E. Putney Salmon, President of Beloit Academy, the prepara- 
tory school of Beloit College; Eev. Wm. Williams, professor in La- 
Grange College, Alabama; Rev. Benj. F. Brown, home missionary 
laborer in Virginia; Eev. Frederick W. Burgess, an active and de- 
voted young ])ieacher, who died at the age of 21. Others might 
be named, did time permit, who became preachers and teachers, 
and are included in the list of our natives. It should be remem- 
bered also that eighteen or twenty of the daughters of Goshen have 
done and are doing their share of the world's work as wives of 
ministers and missionaries, whose names we must omit on the 
present occasion. 

The pastors of the church who succeeded Mr, Whitman, many of 
whom like him had each their share in the work of tittiug and in- 
spiring some one or more of this large number of men and women 
for their noble work, were Eev. Joel Wright, Henry B. Holmes, 
John C. Thompson, Eoyal Eeed, Eobert Crossett, Thomas H. Eood, 
Sidney Holmau, H. M. Eogers, Townsend Walker, George Juchau, 
D. B. Lord, and the present pastor, Eev. J. E. M. Wright, sou of one 
of the worthy daughters of Goshen. 

As we recall what the fathers were, we may perhaps be tempted 
to think that with them all wisdom is departed. I recently heard 
John B. Gough say in Faneuil Hall, that many years ago he under- 
took to speak on temperance in that place, but was greatly annoyed 
by rowdies who came in to break up the meeting. One of the 
leaders of tlio gang, pointing to one of the portraits upon the 
walls of the hall, boasted that that was a likeness of his ancestor. 
"Yes," said Gough, " your family is like a hill of potatoes, the best 
part is under ground." But we may justly disclaim its application 
to our people. While we quote "The Fathers, where are they?" 
we may answer with some complacency, " Look at their children." 

We have already seen what a worthy record some have made as 
ministers and missionaries. Others have been equally prominent 
in other callings. Ezra Weeks, son of the first town clerk, remov- 
ed to New York city, accumulated a large fortune, owning at one 
time seven acres of what is now the most fashionable portion of 
that city, became president of a l)ank, and author of a popular 
pamphlet on the treatment of cholera. 

William Lyman, who was born and reared on the farm on which 



23 



we are asseiiil)led, became a merchant, and was one of the leading 
citizens of Schenectady, N. Y. He educated his nephew and name- 
sake, Dr. Wilham, son of his brother, Captain Francis, whose resi- 
dence was here. The young Wilham became a physician of acknow- 
ledged skill, an orator of much eloquence, a member of the Illinois 
Legislature, (and I think speaker of the Illinois House,) and in the 
civil war medical director on Gen. Logan's staff. 

In the business world I would name another native who has 
made a reputation which places him in the front rank of the 
merchants of Boston. Joseph H. White, son of Joseph, grandson 
of the early settler William, born on the White Homestead in 1824. 
He was for many years the leading tnember of the firm of White, 
Browne & Co., and is now the senior member of the firm of White, 
Paj'son & Co., the selling agents of the Manchester Mills, of which 
he is the principal stockholder and director. He soon accumulated 
a handsome fortune and assisted his brothers in starting in mercan- 
tile business, one of whom is E. H. White, the bead of the house of 
E, H. White & Co., whose business is not exceeded by more than 
three or four establishments in this country. Another brother, 
Hon. James White, formerly in business with Joseph H., we are 
pleased to announce is with us to-day to participate in our festiv- 
ities. 

Dea. Benj. Burgess, grandson and namesake of the long time 
physician, a prominent merchant and citizen of Boston for nearly 
half a century, and his brother Silas, a lawyer of Worcester, we 
are haf)i)y to meet here to-day, 

Enoch and L. L. James, grandsons of the early settler, John 
James, successful merchants in their day, and Luther James of Ann 
Arbor, Mich., all prominent as businessmen and capitalists, are not 
to be forgotten on this occasion. 

William Mayhew, the wealthy and generous Baltimore merchant, 
of national reputation, was a son of Freeborn Mayhew, for many 
years a resident of this town. 

Among the daughters whom Goshen is proud to claim is Mrs. 
Martha J. Lamb, whose literary ability has placed her high upon 
the roll of honor. Her history of New York, recently published by 
A. S. Barnes & Co., is said to be the largest work of the kind ever 
accomplished by a woman. It is not only the largest, but has re- 



24 



ceived the endorsemeDt of emiuent literary authorities, as worthy 
of rank with the best. She too honors the occasion by her pres- 
ence. 

Other daughters of the town are worthy of mention for the sons 
they have given to the world. 

Lucretia Parsons, daughter of Kev. Justin, married Rev. D. 0. 
Morton, and as before stated, was the mother of Hon. Levi P. Morton, 
the New Yorli millionaire, member of Congress, and now U. S. Min- 
ister to France. 

Mercy Burgess, daughter of Dr. Benjamin, married Mitcheli 
Dawes, and was the mother of Hon. Henry L. Dawes, one of the 
honored and worthy Senators of this state. 

Passing over others worthy of note, we may well pause for a 
moment to pay the tribute so nobly earned by those forty sons of 
Goshen, who, in the civil war, gave themselves to the service of 
their country. Some fell on the held of battle; some wounded 
clear through, came home to die among their friends, and now rest 
in yonder cemetery, among the heroes who fought aud bled at Sara- 
toga and Monmouth aud Yorktown. Those who still remain are 
with us to-day. The flag they defended waves above us, and makes 
our centennial worthy of commemoration. All honor to the dead 
and to the living. 

The men of this town, notwithstanding its granite rocks and hard 
soil, by the practice of rigid economy and well directed labors, early 
acquired a competence, aud so well established was their reputa- 
tion for honesty and for ability to meet all pecuniary obligations, 
that it was said by one who well knew the facts, that any of its 
citizens could readily get trusted at the stores in Northampton, if 
it was kuown that he belonged to Goshen. 

It was, perhaps, to test his own individual reputation in this re- 
spect, that a somewhat eccentric citizen, Edward Orcutt, took oc- 
casion once to ascertain how far this contidence, in respect to him- 
self, extended to other towns in the valley below. Being in want 
of a pig he went to Hattield, where he understood the article was 
for sale, and commenced negotiations, always adding the important 
qualitication, " You will trust me, I suppose." But he soon found 
they didn't trust, and so he continued his researches with com- 
mendable perseverance for some hours. At last he found the man 



25 

he was looking for, a man that had a pig to sell and a disposition 
to gratify his customer. The bargain was closed and the pig was 
ready to start with his new owner, who, having become satisfied 
that one man was ready to trust him, ended the matter by produc- 
ing the money and paying the bill on the spot. 

It is, sometimes, intimated that the Fathers builded better than 
they knew. I doubt it. The more I leai-n of their aspirations, 
purposes, plans and hopes, the more am I impressed with their 
prQfound faith, intelligent action, and far-seeing statesmanship. 
They were not here enduring privation, dangers, death, for them- 
selves, but to found au empire for their children, and for the gener- 
ations in the future. 

A few days ago I visited one of the three oldest houses now 
standing in old Plymouth. It was built more than two hundred 
years ago, under the shadow of Buiial Hill, within a stone's tlirow 
of the Cushman monument, by my ancestor, Robert Barrow, great- 
grandfather of my greatgrandfather. Passing from one room to 
another, I was impressed by the massive timbers wrought into the 
frame work of every part of the building, so well preserved that 
not a sign of decay appeared in any part. The foundations were 
laid so deep and firm that the house stands as ui)right and true as 
it stood when erected seven generations ago. It was evidently 
built to last, and last it apparently will till the march of what is 
termed modern improvement requires its removal, to make way for 
a style of architecture more fauciful, but less substantial and en- 
during. 

And so the Fathers built for education, morality, liberty, and re- 
hgion. They laid the foundations on the rock of eternal truth, and 
knew that no lapse of time could ever weaken or remove them. 
So long as their children shall follow their example and continue to 
build on these foundations, so long shall the superstructure be all 
that the Fathers planned, desired, and hoped. " The great com- 
prehensive truths, written in letters of living light on every page 
of our history — the language addressed by every past age of New 
England to all future ages is this : Human happiness has no perfect 
security, but freedom; freedom none, but virtue; virtue none, but 
knouledge; and neither freedom, nor virtue, nor knowledge has 



26 



any vi.rvor, or inimortal ho[w, except in the principles of the Chris- 
tian religion." 



POEM. 



The follo\vin<:f poem, written bj^ Mrs. M. Leora S. Honghton, was 
read by Eev. D. G. Wright, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Mrs. Houghton 
is a (laughter of Mr. J. Milton Smith of Sunderland, foruierly of 
Groshen : 



Yu liillsides green ! Oh home-land fair, 
Where cliildhooil wandered free! 
With furrow'd brow, and whit'ning liair, 
The traeery of years and care — 
We turn again to thee. 

Tho' one may track tli' eternal .snow, 
To grasp the Northern pole, 
IMay glide where flashing waters flow. 
Or miJ-lity rivers mightier grow. 
And sunny South-lands roll, — 

Mix with the multitude that treads 
The thronging avenue, 
Or roam where Earth her silence sheds. 
And tlie broad, fertile prairie spreads 
To touch th' o'er arching blue, — 

Tho' through the trackless wild we stray. 

Or o'er the shifting sands. 

Where mossy turrets, old and gray. 

Have seen the centuries roll away, 

In other climes and lands,— 

Yet native home-land, dear and sweet, 
Tho' few thy charms may be, 
Long as the pulse of life shall beat. 
Thy wandering sons with weary feet 
Would fain return to thee. 

II. 

Behold'! with eager, throbliiiig hearts we wait, 
AVhere the stern Past its hoarded treasure flings; 



27 



Wliere the retreating: century's ponderous gate 
Backward, upon its rusty liinges, swings. 

O sliadowy years, tliat sped so long away ! 
AVc call to you upon that viewless shore. 
To keep with us this rai"e, old trysting day, 
And bear us back the vanished sceneS of yore! 

Come with your noiseless tramp, O mighty hosts. 
From out the sliadows of the near unseen ! 
Uplift the vail which wraps your hidden coasts, 
Which lies the Present and the Past between. 

Ye hands of toil, which rent these rugged hills 

From the stern clutches of the forest wild ; 

Around our lives your benediction thrills 

The home-light gleam which on your hearth-stone smiled. 

O ye, who liv'd and labored, lov'd and died. 
Amid the scenes which greet our eyes to-day. 
Whose generations thro' death's portals wide 
In silent, swift procession passed away : — 

Out on the hillside, where the shadows fall 
With the last glory of the setting sun. 
Secure and dreamless, ye await the call 
Which makes the mortal an jHnnortal one! 

And just as sweetly in your <listant grave, 
Tho' ruthless feet shall iiress your narrow bed. 
Ye rest, who, with a million brave, 
AVere by the trumpet's call to slaughter led. 

Ye, too, who went on your rclurnless way 

To teach the nations of a Saviour's love. 

And drooped in manhood's prime, or worn and gray, 

Soared with rejoicing to your crown above;— 

Where fell your mantle, when the fiery steeds 
Sped like swift angels up the path of light? 
Where is the promise of your earnest deeds? 
Where the rich harvest of your noble might? 

Your sheaves-are garnered where the savage wild 
You nobly dared, a weak, intrepid band: 
Or where the golden sun of Orient smiled 
On the far hillsides of the Holy land ! 

O, daimtless souls ! O courage born of trust 
In the Eternal Fatherhood of God ! 
Ye are not dead, although your slumb'ring dust 
Has long since moldered 'neath an alien sod. 

Ye voiceless, vanished years ! O century fled ! 
As we your last, deitarting footsteps trace. 
We'd wear the laurel for your noble dead. 
And give tlieir memory an honor'd place! 

III. 

So, time hath wrought with magic hand. 
Since born in bitter throe. 



28 



The priceless freedom of our land 
A hundred years ago! 

From Northern bound to Southern tide. 
From ocean shore to shore, 
The wilderness hath blossomed wide, 
Its hills and valleys o'er. 

And thronging millions seek thy shade 
Where erst no foot hatl trod ; 
And in remotest glen and glade, 
Behold the upturned sod. 

By lake and stream, on inland plain, 
I^astern and western strand, 
Proud cities stretch their arms .-.main, 
To grasp each other's hand. 

In woven lines the jj.^ths of trade 
Are traced o'er land and sea, 
And the swift wings of steam are made 
Our messengers to be. 

The chained lightnings girt the world 
Obeying our behest. 
So space is from her empire hurled 
And knows no east or west. 

O, Time hath wrought with magic hand 
Adown the century's flow, 
Which the broad bow of promise spanned 
A hundred years ago! 

IV. 

Still earth shall bloom, in coming years, as now, 
And still succeeding summer suns shall glow; 
The golden harvest wave, and fruited bough; 
Then fall the wreathing mantle of the snow. 

While o'er our dust unheeding feet shall tread, 
The world shall wake to wonders new and strana 
Thro' Nature's hidden forces captive led. 
Ages shall work new miracles of change. 

And still the restless tide shall ebb and flow, 
The tireless rivers hurry toward the sea, 
The swift, succeeding generations go 
Into the far, yet near Eternity ! 

Night shall succeed to day, and day to night, 
Until the wearied earth grows old and gray. 
And the lattt century, with its paling light, 
In drear, dread silence, vanishes away. 

Then shall the riven heavens like a scroll, 
Amid a thousand thunders ci-ashing roar, 
In one wide-reaching sweep together roll 
And pass away — and Time shall be no more. 



29 



THE DINNER AND AFTER-DINNER EXERCISES. 

Although it was announced that the eelcljiMtion would be con- 
ducted on the basket piiniic plan, tables weii^ si)read lor about 200 
people, and the abundance of food provided showed that the i)eo- 
ple of the town were no strangers to genuine hospitality. The 
speakers, invited guests, veteran soldiers and baud marched to the 
tables, and after the invocation of the Divine blessing by Rev. D. 
W. Waldron, the dinner was eaten. Then the jiresident of the day 
gave the following 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

BY Al.VAX BARKUS. 

A few years since, standing by the bedside of an aged citizen 
who was largely identified with that which has made the history of 
Goshen what it is; to him, all the active scenes of his later life 
were gone, and from childhood to old age all was blank. Turning 
to me in his mental wanderings, he repeated many of the little in- 
cidents of his early childhood, in which he then groped as if real, 
as when they first transi)ired. "There," said he, i)ointiug to dif- 
ferent articles in the room, " is my little brother's coat, there is his 
chair, and heie is our little cart. Josei)h* has gone out some- 
where and I am going, pretty soon, to find him. I am tired now 
and want to lie down. Call my mother, and I will say my little 
prayer to her and go to sleep." So saying, he turned upon his side, 
repeating to his angel mother : — "Now I lay me down to sleep, I 
pray the Lord my soul to keep." Thus Deac(»n Benjamin White went 
out of this tabernacle and found his brother Josei)h awaiting him at 
the door. 

So in figure, the sons and daughters of Goshen, leaving the cares 
and busy scenes of life, turn back to the home, the scenes and the 
friends of their childhood. There are many reminders of these to 
welcome you, beside which any words of ours seem empty and 
their sound hollow. Every dwelling or place on which it stood, 

* His twill broUier. 



30 

every household, every fiither, mother, brother, sister, child or 
friend ; the churcli, the old school-house, the playground, the shady 
tree and dell, the cooling spring, the running stream, and every 
loved spot which their infancy knew, all unite in the glad refrain — 
" Welcome Home." 

Though there is somewhat Of sadness in the vacant chair, the 
grassy mounds and the pillar of stone that suggests the way of all 
the living, it is manly to (lro[) a tear over them. It is sad that some 
who started the year with us and were anxious to see this day, 
"have gone out somewhere." It is none other than joyful to be- 
lieve that they are among those gone before, who compass us about, 
so great a cloud of witnesses : — 

" Having known it Christ to live. 
Now they know it gain to die." 

We cordially welcome His Excellency, the Governor of the Com- 
monwealth, together with other members of the Government, and 
representative men from v.uious portions of this state and else- 
where. 

Though not ashamed of our record as this day presented, and 
even proud of it, we have not taken you up into this exceeding high 
mountain and shown our varied kingdoms and possessions that you 
may fall down and worshii) us; we want you to see the men and 
women we raise, leain sometliing of their character and of the 
influence they have and are exerting in their varied spheres, and 
see whether the oft-repeated pr.iyer, " God save the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts," cmu be better accomplished than by the good old 
fashioned way in which we are doing, and have been doing it for a 
hundred years, in this venerable hill-top town. 



Rev. J. S. Burgess being introduced said : 

Ladies and Gentlemen : — It is fitting to honor merit. We have 
assembled upon this '-centennial occasicm" for the purpose of hon- 
oring the moral and mental worth of our ancestors. We take 
boundless pleasure in coming Irom Le\vi«town, Maine, to be one 



31 

with you upon this aus[)icious and eventful period of ancestral re- 
view; to note some changes which have transpired, but especial- 
ly the principles and spirit by which our honored fathers were en- 
dowed and acted. 

The services which have preceded this very excellent dinner, 
reflecting so much credit to the domestic culinary abihty of the 
ladies of Goshen, have been in the channel of praise and grateful 
acknowledgments or intrinsic moral and Christian worth, on the 
part of men and women a hundred years ago. The able and valu- 
able address — the songs and prayers — have all breathed the same 
spirit of love and tender recollections of brave and loving fathers 
and mothers in long-ago years. In reminiscences of which w-e 
speak, we may allude to some faults and errors in connection with 
those times, but in no way to disparage worth, or criticise unjustly 
persons of genuine merit. 

The old school-Jumsc of fifty- five years ago comes vigorously to 
mind. Its shabby outside, and inconvenient inside of seats and 
benches ; cold in winter as a dozen barns, smok3^, most shamefully 
whittled by bad boys. The text books were few in number, ob- 
scure and blind, with teachers quite as much so, in some instances 
at least. Among the number none really e5:celled ^' Webster's Spell- 
ing Book," in its first lessons, and those adapted to youthful years. 
The strange pictures and practical morals taught, in the fable of 
the "rude boy stealing ai)ples." The "old maid" with her tum- 
bling-down pail of milk from her haughty head, "and with it all 
her imaginary hapi)iness." Tlie "cat under the meal bag" seizing 
the venturesome but unsus[)iciousnucc. The "lawyer and farmer" 
over the murderous bull and gored ox! The lawyer's "if and if," 
" and that alters the case," has hardly ceased yet. Some teachers 
ruled as with a rod of iron; others were ignorant and cowardly; 
while others were very good, and still some others used not a little 
deception, especially preparing the scholars for an " examination " 
by the learned and august " committee," the last and greatest dread 
of all the scholars. A class was called out to spell, upon one of 
these occasions, which had been trained to spell long and difficult 
words by the teacher. Rev. Mr. Wright, chairman of the examin- 
ing school committee, asked one in the class to sjiell victuals, alter 
the words omi)omi)anoosic and Cannjoharie had been correctly 



spt^iled, when the entire class was Ibund incapable of spelling the 
most common and easy words of one or two syllables. This " in- 
nocent " deception was ever after abandoned. 

Sam. Lnce played the most tricks and received the most i»unish- 
ments of any boy in school. John Snow was frequently bis victim. 
John had sometime troubled the teacher by repeated askings to go 
out. "Mastci- — may — I— go — out?" was his drawling way of 
doing it. When uj), Sam. sl^ly placed a ])in with the head down- 
wards into a cra(;k of the seat()ccu[)ieil by John, who, upon resum- 
ing his sent, felt the force of the ]tin, leaped and yelled to the top 
of his voice, when Master Mayhew, with the voice of thunder, in- 
quired the cause; John, crying and rubbing the injured part, ex- 
claimed, " Sam stuck a pin in the seat." The school was convulsed 
in laughter, and Sam. was severely punished amidst laughter and 
tears. A love affair in school interested not a few of the larger 
boys and girls. A young lady of Southampton was the teacher one 
winter. She was fair and i>leasnnt, and the school proceeded ad- 
mirably. It began to be noticed that Abuer's eyes were oftener on 
the teacher than on his books, and her attentions were frequently 
bestowed upon Abner, and sometimes he tarried after school to be 
further instructed in difficult lessons ! At the close of the school, 
Abner was seen on his way to the home of the " school marm," 
when lo ! in autumn a blushing bride was brought to town, the 
envy of some and the admiration of many. 

The church embraced consi(l«M-able intelligence and piety; sever- 
al were liberal in their Christian views and of independent thought 
and expression, others were iiai row, intolerant and bigoted. They 
really held the Methodist and IJaptist denominations as outside of 
the true church heretics and fanatics — unworthy Christian fellow- 
ship. When Silas Burgess, "committee" to supply the pulpit ou 
the Sabbath, employed, unbeknown to most of the church, an ex- 
cellent Baiitist minister. When he entered the house and took 
the i)uli)it, quite a number of the "illiberal" immediately left the 
meeting in disgust. A jealous young man, late from the academy, 
threatened to cane William Willcutt at the doors of the sanctuary, 
when ccmiing out of the church, Sunday afternoon, because he be- 
lieved in a sinless lile. His expression was, " Do you say, Bill Will- 
cutt, that you live without sint Say so, and I'll cane you." "I 



33 

don't say so but believe we ought to be holy," was Mr. Willcutt's 
reply. The mad and intolerant spirit of the young man was really 
applauded ! When Rev. Saninel Whitman preached several doc- 
trinal sermons on the Divinity of Christ, which were subsequently 
published in book form, and called " Whitman's Key," he was most 
furiously and unjustly condemned as a Unitarian and heretic, dis- 
missed peremptorily from the pastorate of the church, not allowed 
even a seat in the pulpit he had so long occupied. These same re- 
ligious opinions, ably advocated by Mr. Whitman, and for which he 
suffered reproach and the most violent opposition, are to-day the 
prevailing sentiments of the Christian world. Capt. John Grrant, 
Silas Burgess, and Origin Orcutt were considered subjects worthy 
of church discipline, and exclusion therefrom by some, because 
they occasionally attended meetings of other denominations. This 
spirit of intolerance, however, yielded in time to that of progress 
and charity. Evangelists came and held protracted meetings, revi- 
vals ensued, the church became united, and with it a liberal and 
most commendable Christian feehng prevailed and still continues. 
" The old meeting-house on the hill," as it was called, was large and 
stately, barren of ornaments, without fire, carpets or cushions, un- 
attractive in every thing material, in the winter frosty as ice could 
make it. Here the congregation shivered with cold teet and cold 
hearts, from cold sermons. The pews were like sheep-pens, with 
galleries all round and roomy. The pulpit was raised high above 
the pews, as much as to say the higher the holier! — with an im- 
mense ''sounding-board" still higher, above the head of the preacher, 
the wonder of the boys, a ''perch for angels" in the long and 
solemn services. The tything-mau, in his corner pew, elevated above 
all, and eye on all, was an awful terror to the gallery boys, espec- 
ially until he fell asleep, then the jack-knives did vandal work on 
the pews. Satan, with his frightful claws and horns, never had half 
the terror among the rude ones in the gallery, as did this " official " 
of the law. The singers, about fifty in number, occupied long plain 
seats. They were somewhat gifted in the art of church music, both 
instrumental and vocal. Deacon Billings and Fred. Stone were for 
years efficient and acceptable leaders, and Francis Dresser played 
the viol well. Miss Clara James, and subsequently her younger 

Note.— The word " When" inline 30, page 3-2, should be stricken out. 



34 

sister Eacliel, led the treble, and taken all in all, not excepting the 
beauty, and brilliancy of the ladies in their " sweetest smiles and 
gayest ribbons," were indeed the great attraction of Sunday services. 
No grander or better music was heard among the hill- towns. Any 
material changes in the regular order and routine of things, were 
violently opposed by certain members of the church, as evidences 
of apostacy from the truth — heathen or Catholic inovations. 
When even stoves were introduced into the house, carpets, changes 
of any kind — instrumental music — were declared to be the source 
of novelty and lightness; headache and drowsiness, a base dis- 
turber of true worship, a grief to the Church, and a dishonor to 
Christ. That even the guns and ammunition kept under the pulpit 
long time before, against any sudden attack of Indians or English, 
should not be removed. Some of the "sinners" thought "a little 
more powder in the pulpit, rather than Hnder it, wouldn't be 
amiss." 

In the settlement of a minister, Capt. John Grant frankly, and 
rather bluntly, declared " the qualifications most needed were 
good common sense, and knowing enough to stop when he got 
through." Another good brother " must see Deacon Taylor before 
he could tell how he liked the candidate ; " and another " wouldn't 
change his faith in Calvinism, of forty years staudiug, for any man 
or minister, or any amount of argument." 

The young ladies of those times possessed many charms, and 
bore away the hearts and hands of maoy young men in town and 
surrounding towns, especially Cummington. Among the deeply in 
love and really '•' fascinated," was David Whitman, who abounded 
in love letters to various ladies. Before sending these missives, 
however, he usually read the contents to some friend. One of 
these letters ended in the following language: " If you will accept 
my proposal of marriage I will call thee angel ; if not, I shall hate 
and detest thee, my dear." Poor David lived and died a bachelor. 

Amusements and means of instruction were limited, still of much 
service in various ways. Spelling and singing schools, lyceums, 
able and interesting lectures on chemistry, astronomy and other 
useful topics, were quite common. Sleigh-rides, military musters 
and cattle-shows obtained a special interest. These occasions often 
brought many together in social intercourse, promotive of peace 



35 

and good will. Love looked love to eyes, followed by marriages, 
Dumerous families, kind endeavors, and manly Christian lives in 
numerous cases. 

In returning to the old "meetiug-house," some of the most inter- 
esting and significant meetings of national importance were held, 
besides those of Christian worship, meetings where town matters 
and general politics were freely discussed. The question of " total 
abstinence from all intoxicating liquors " was ably and most elo- 
quently presented to a large assemblage of people for the first time, 
by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge of Hadley. The subject then was entirely 
new and novel, and the impression made wasalmostoverwhelming. 
The doctor called for pledges at the close of his masterly address. 
Only five came forward and signed the temperance pledge. Among 
the number were Captain John Grant, Silas Burgess and Origin 
Orcutt. My father disposed at once of nearly a barrel of cider 
brandy lately provided for family use, and never from that day did 
intoxicants of any kind have admittance to his house. These radi- 
cal temperance views and positions met at first, as might have been 
expected, stern opposition, even from some of the best citizens and 
members of the church. The truth had gone forth, and finally pre- 
vailed over all onpositiou, and the town in a large majority of its 
citizens, became thoroughly committed to the cause of temper- 
ance. 

The first anti-slavery meeting of a public character was also held 
here. Rev. Amos Dresser, whom we are all very glad to meet upon 
this occasion, addressed that meeting upon the subject of " Ameri- 
can slavery." Mr. Dresser had just returned from the South, where 
he had been whipped within an inch of his life, by slaveholders and 
professed Christians, for letting fall, in the sale of Bibles, some 
wrapping paper condemning slavery. Smarting from the wounds 
he had received, and indignant over the mean and terrible abuse 
received, of some forty lashes on his bare back, on the public com- 
mon of Nashville, and loss of all he had of wordly eflects — fleeing 
for his life. I need notsay Mr. Dresser gave one of the most thrill- 
ing and touching speeches to which the citizens of Goshen ever 
listened. Anti-slavery sentiments from that hour were almost 
universally adopted by the people, and to which position, firmly and 



m 

conscientiously taken, the town has ever since most closely mid 
tenaciously adhered. 

Farewell missionary meetings were also held in the special inter- 
ests of missionaries about leaving for their chosen fields of labor. 
Eev. Horatio Bardwell for Ceylon, ahd Levi Parsons for Palestine ; 
Calvin Cushman. John Smith, and their wives, for the Choctaw and 
Cherokee tribes of Indians in the then far off south-west. These 
brave and self-denying missionaries received deep sympathy and 
the kindest farewells, with prayers, tears and blessings; whose faces 
they should never see more, such was the distance from home, and 
the many dangers and hardships they should encounter. 

Educational meetings were also held in the interests of Amherst 
College and Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary. These meetings were 
mostly addressed by Eev. Eoswell Hawks, of Cummington. The 
■College had recently been founded, was some in debt, and greatly 
needed funds, and was pre-eminently devoted to the education of 
missionaries and ministers. The Holyoke Seminary for the exclu- 
;sive education of young ladies in household matters, as well as 
books, was then new, strange and novel. How to make "good 
bread " was thought to belong to the mother rather than the school. 
Money was however contributed, and a permanent interest created 
in them, and the schools were subsequently honored by several 
■excellent Goshen students. All honor then to the old meeting- 
house on Goshen hill. Honor to those who built and worshiped 
within its walls. All honor to those who lived Christian lives and 
■defended the truth, now buried in yonder cemetery. And may 
honor and truth, their numerous descendants ever equally charac- 
terize. 

The speech of Mr. Burgess was greatly enjoyed, and was inter- 
rupted with frequent and hearty applause. 

He was followed by Eev. D. G. Wright, D.D., whose address was lis- 
tened to with great interest from beginning to end. It was written 
without time for preparation, a fact which none would have sus- 
pected, had it not been stated by the speaker. 



37 



ADDRESS BY REV. D. G. WRIGHT, D. D. 

Mr. Pkesiuent, Ladies and Gentlemen: — Your Committee 
some weeks ago honored me with a request to be preseut ou this 
occasioa as one of the liiils in the chaiu by which they wish to 
conuect the present generation with those past ; and by so doing, 
help deepen an interest in the virtues of those who here, one hun- 
dred years ago, organized a society and church, and in the years 
subse(iuent hiid foundations on which you have builded, and where 
you are enjoying the fruits of their wisdom and piety in such rich 
profusion. And since coming here your Committee have done me 
further honor by asking me to give some reminiscences of the 
ancients of this town which come within my li:nowledge. 

Though unwilling to occupy time that might be better tilled by 
others, I have i)encilled some points as they occurred, that I might 
I)resent them in a more methodical form than I could hope to do in 
an extemporaneous eftbrt. Yet it would have been more appropriate 
for a lineal descendant of the fathers of this beautiful town to 
occupy the time allotted to me ; but, although not to the manor 
born, I confess I feel very much at home this day among my bet- 
ters, and am happy to enhance, if I may be so fortunate in any 
degree, the pleasures of the occasion by what I may say of the 
olden time. For by right of memory, at least, I have an inheri- 
tance among present dwellers upon these grand old hills and in 
these beautiful valleys. And although .an absentee from Goshen 
for half a century with the exception of one brief day's call, and a 
stranger to a vast majority of those present, yet the name of almost 
every old family here represented as denizens of the dear old town, 
was engraved on memory's tablet, where my heart in childhood and 
youth, with mates now gone within the veil, was mingled love and 
mirth together, and we learned the book and turned its leaves with 
folly's feather, and where the saddest emotion my bosom had 
known, was pity for those who were wiser than I. So that as I 
stand here, there passes before me as in a panoramic shape the 
homes and forms of venerable men and lovely women who were 



38 



here in my boyhood's days. Yet, alas ! those fathers and mother^ 
of stalworth virtue and piety, as well as form, meet not our sight* 
But in memory they live, and it is meet and right thus to commem- 
orate their worth, and reverently lay our ti'ibute of affection and 
gratitude upon their hallowed graves. And if we, dearly beloved 
old friends, relics of the past as we are, though I hope not deemed 
fossils by the younger portion of this assembly, if we may serve to 
bring past and present in more close communion, and recall the 
principles which inspired the founders and builders of church and 
society in Chesterfield Gore, our centennial celebration will not be 
in vain. 

But endeavoring to promote such an end, it may seem too ego- 
tistical in reference to myself, as I necessarily must ; but even that 
maybe pardoned in one who for almost six-tenths of the time since 
its incor]:)oration has known more or less of the town, and who for 
years was a resident. Others who have passed life here and known 
its later history, are better qualified to speak of that than I am- 
Yet few of the Old Boys of sixty years ago knew more, perhaps 
not so much, of families and individuals as my humble self Fam- 
ily position gave larger opportunities for such knowledge than 
others differently situated possessed. For you, my friends, may not 
be aware the sons of ministers were considered smart, — smart I 
mean '' to cut up," as the phrase then was, and also be every where 
and see every thing with which perhaps they had no business and 
so contrived to pick up a knowledge of folks and things, of indi- 
vidual and family traits, of which their really superior and more 
sedate companions might remain ignorant. This may appear myth- 
ical to the youth of this day, when ministers' sons and deacons' 
daughters are doubtless models of propriety; educated as they are 
in a more refined and cultivated age and so breathing a milder 
atmosphere than we did ; but that the now old adage was once cor- 
rect, and not slanderous of such persons, may appear from an anec- 
dote of myself During the only time in which I have been privi- 
leged to visit this section some twenty years ago — since my 
parents removed — I called at the house of one of my father's par- 
ishioners and his deacon in the days of his early ministry. The 
venerable mother in Israel, then verging on fourscore years, could 
not understand who the stranger before her was. Her son, a play- 



39 

mate of my boybood, at last said : " Motber, bave you forgotten Rev. 
Mr. Wrigbt and bis wife, wbora you and father loved so much, and 
with whom you were so intimate? This is their oldest sou." After 
sitting a few minutes in silence, as if gathering up the threads of 
memory dropped during some forty years, the little woman turned 
to me with a beaming countenance and flashing eye, and said, — 
*' Why, sir, you are not that little Grosvenor Wright who used to 
come here and cut up so like mischief, and find out every thing 
that was going on, are you?" And, with shame-facedness, Mr. 
President, I was forced to confess, "Yes, ma'am, I am he!" 

But do you ask what I knew or learned of more interest or im- 
portance, what I remember about the dear old folks of a half cen- 
tury ago ? 

Ah, if I should attempt to reply in detail, your patience would 
be exhausted, and the sun would go down ere I could begin to 
answer. But if you will please bear with an old man's garrulity, 
let me say that in all my homes for fifty years I do not recall so 
many stalwait men and lovely women, among a population similar 
in numbers, as lived in old Goshen in my boyhood doys. Why, my 
younger friends of this assembly, there were giants and giantesses 
in intelligence and moral worth in those days; and whom ye, how- 
ever much more cultivated intellectually, and polished in manners, 
as the term is, than your ancestors were, ye cannot hope to excel ; 
for a race then toiled in these tields, and a class of women ju-esided 
as queens in their households, who for noble manhood and woman- 
hood, and that sterling virtue which exalted a people, made it 
second to no other community. And this assertion brings before 
my mind's eye persons from whom ye have descended, and of whom 
any people might be justly proud that such blood flowed in their 
veins. 

My recollection of the ancients goes back to 1S21, when such 
representative men as Deacon Taylor, Esq. White, Major Stone, and 
Capt. Naramore, were among the oldest inhabitants in Goshen 
society and church. Their stately forms and dignified mien, but 
better, their noble characters, yet live before me. fresh as when 
a boy, I was taught to bow, uncovered and reverently, in the pres- 
ence of such patriarchal characters. Yet they were all vigorous, 



40 



and going in and out among a people proud to rec(ij;nize their wis- 
dom and iutiueuce; who were men of marli wherever seen, in the 
various relations of life. And of the next generation it may be 
truly said they were worthy successors of such noble sires. Of 
that class were prominent the four stalwart Lyman brothers, John 
Thomas, Capt. Frank and Col. Tim, as we boys perhaps irrev- 
erently designated the two latter, each a man of note in his indi- 
vidual sphere ; and then the twins, Joseph and Benjamin White, 
fratres nobiles, the like of whom for native nobility and yet sim- 
plicity of character I have seldom known ; Esq. John Williams and 
his brother Jonah, men of avoirdupois as well as moral weight ; 
the Parsonses and the younger Naramores, Levi Barrus and Silas 
Burgess, Asahel Billings and the saintly Jonathan Lyman, the Til- 
tons and the Packards, Col. Stone and his brother Frederick, Joseph 
Putney and Capt. James, Capt. Reuben Dresser and his brother 
Moses, Capts. W^m. and George Abell, the Hosfords, and others I 
could name, most of whom were leaders of acknowledged ability 
in the coramunit3^ Of the good and peculiar traits of such persons 
I learned in part at the fireside by hearing them discussed by my 
parents ; and in part by my own observation, as I went among 
them. For, from the age of ten to seventeen years, I lived in many 
of the families named, for days and in some for months, to acquire 
that practical knowledge of life which my father felt could be, by 
a boy, obtained in no other way — ^ wisdom which books could not 
impart — and to which training I attribute, in a large degree, the 
foundation for that iron constitution by which I have almost 
attained my three score years and ten. Picking up stones on Capt. 
James's farm one season ; riding horse to plow, with other spring 
work, for Noah Hosford and the Whites ; and one summer spread- 
ing and raking hay for Emmons Putney, and at dinner feasting on 
his delicious sweet corn, which, he will bear me witness. Dr. 
Wright once said at his table, a boy of my age might eat a dozen 
such ears and not hurt him, and in yet another spring gathering 
sap and chopping wood and tending kettles in the maple bush, and 
not unfrequently syruping off at midnight and carrying the sweet 
stuff to the house with no companion but old dog Towser, while 
the master. Uncle Daniel Williams in the meantime being away 
keeping vigils with some beautiful damsel, and sipping from her 



41 

words, if not lips, a nectar sweeter lar for him than I bore on my 
neck-yoked shoulders ; or working as I did subsequently for that 
wise farmer and genial man, Uncle Eeubeu Smith, summer after 
summer, until by studying iu autumns and winters, I was fitted for 
college. But all these advantages not only tended to make me 
what I am as a man, bodily and mentally, but afforded opportuni- 
ties for studying character and acquiring a knowledge of the people 
at large, which a boy who had a home where childhood and youth 
were passed in his parent's employment, did not possess. 

But pardon, I pray you, Mr. President, this seemiug egotism. I 
have indulged in it not for self's sake, but that the grandchildren 
and great grandchildren of such ancestors may in a measure 
understand how I believe boys should be trained, but also, how as 
a boy, I came to know so well the inhabitants of ihose old homes ; 
and to compreheud what reason I had then to esteem them, and 
they now have to venerate the memory of such men and women. 

Another feature of the (.Iden time, besides work, do I recall in 
connection with some of the names mentioned, viz. : how Goshen 
folks were regarded by others as a class of citizens superior to 
what was usually found iu a strictly farming community. I refer 
to Education. Few towns of its size, at that day, paid so. much 
attention to the mental cultivation of the young. Not only were 
the district schools iu advance of some of its neighbors, but for 
many an autumu, a select school was sustained for the benetit of 
advanced pupils, and taught by men of superior education aud 
experience from Amherst College, and by which benelits of inesti- 
mable value were conferred not only upon us residents, but also 
upon those who, from other towns, came as students. Again, fifty 
years ago Goshen folks were a decidedly religious people. Often 
did I hear pastors of other parishes, such as the wise and devout 
Hallock of Plaintield, the pure, saintly Shepard of Ashfield, and 
the scholarly, godly Waters of Chesterfield, and others, speak of the 
remarkably intelligent and attentive congregations iu the old meet- 
ing-house, when they exchanged pulpits with my now sainted 
father ; of course not to the disparagement of their own congrega- 
tions, but as a matter of common remark respecting that one. And 
as I recall the devout aspect of those who were wont to assemble 
there Sunday after Sunday, I am sure the judgment of the minis- 



42 



ters whom I have named was just. And perhaps one cause of the 
fondness for, and devotion in, their house of prayer, was the unsur- 
passed music which the great choir, flllmg much space iu the three 
sided gallery, produced. The Billings brothers, the Stone sisters 
and the Smith family, the James daughters — noble men and beau- 
tiful women, — were acknowledged leaders iu sacred soug. And 
nowhere in modern times have I heard such singing as that choir 
produced with such old Fugue tunes, such as Mear, Barby, Dundee 
and Coronation, sung as they were, not only in a style indicative of 
native taste and artistic skill, but with an unction as if from on 
high, voices rich and melodious in themselves, but as cultivated far 
beyond what was found in other choirs. How I remember to have 
heard " Singing Master " White, a noted teacher in those days from 
Williamsburgh, remark that probably there was more musical talent 
in Goshen, especially in families which I have named, than could 
be found among the same number of people in any similar com- 
munity in the country. And the beauty of all was that talent was 
so used in the house of God as to purify the affections and inspire 
devotion, while elevating the tone of morals in the whole society. 
Thus, in ^7/ the relations of life, the fathers and motliers of that 
age, in their several spheres, excelled, and were models from which 
their descendants have copied, or ought to have done, — and by 
whose influence they have become what they are iu all that is manly 
and womanly. 

Of the deep-toned piety of that people at large I could speak 
more, and of the moraJs as a whole I may. 

Uprightness, honesty, temperance and charity characterized 
them. Temperate as a community, they were not as the word is 
used in these days. For as they understood the word of God, 
sobriety was the rule taught then, not abstinence. Cider was freely 
used by the best fcimilies, and in haying and harvesting, '* good old 
Jamaica " was deemed as essential as were white wheaten loaf, or 
corn bread and doughnuts, the salt mackerel, of which a good sup- 
ply was always provided ; pork and beans, as well as the corned 
beef, which the good housewives knew so deftly how to make appe- 
tizing for their husbands, who were toiling under the sun's scorch- 
ing rays. And I remember having seen but one man drunk in the 
land of Goshen during my sojourn in its borders. But he lived 



43 

nearer the centre of another town than this, and coming from a 
general training was found in a ditch upon its borders. A good 
Samaritan of Goshen passing by, heard his maudlin call for help, 
and after lifting him out, asked his name. The reply given as a 
drunken man only could, interrogatively, — '• Amidown ?" His 
helper uot understanding him, again asked, " "What is your name?" 
" Amidown !" was the repeated reply to the repeated (luestions, till 
the Goshenite, disgusted, left the poor inebriate to care for himself, 
saying, '• Yes, you poor fool, you are doivn, and there you may lie 
if you will not tell your name." It is true that liquor was sold and 
used in Goshen, but it was a common remark that it was not high 
proof spirits, but well watered. And indeed I often heard it 
asserted that one conscientious seller used every morning to ask 
his clerk, ''Have you watered the rum?" and if the answer was 
satisfactory, the next words were, ''Come in to prayers and break- 
fast." 

I recall another anecdote told of one of my father's parishion- 
ers. His good wife thought ho was becoming a little too fond 
of the creature, and as he stood in wholesome awe of her 
wifely right to remonstrate, liaviiig had his jug filled in the 
evening with "New England," to assist him and his neighbors the 
next day in killing his hogs, instead of carryi'ig it into the house? 
as the night was mild, suspended it upon the branch of a tree back 
of the pigpen, where it was not likely to be seen by his spouse. 
But one of those sudden changes for which Goshen climate then 
was noted occurred in the night ; and when the hospitable man 
went for it in the morning, to his dismay, he found that Jack Frost 
had emptied the jug, or at least, naught but the neck and handle 
remained upon the branch where he had left his precious stuff, — 
the balance of the jug having been bursted by expansion of the 
water contained in the liquor. 

But, Mr. President, pardon this digression. 1 have ventured to 
relate the fact, to show that even a rumseller in those days had due 
regard to the temperance of his customers. Would that the same 
might be said of other such men in these degenerate days. But I 
am wearying your patience. My wish has been, in compliance with 
your request, to show the generation, at least in outline, what I 
knew of their progenitors, and how even their faults leaned to vir- 



44 

tue's side, and so help to deepen a pride of ancestry, and so avvakeu 
an aspiration to imitate all which was good and true for the same 
proud eminence on which they stood — whether individually or as 
a body politic, such as it was my privilege and honor to know they 
occupied. 

Such should be the influence of the services of this Centennial, 
Mr. President, to make better the living by commemorating the 
virtues of the departed. Then our assembling here will not have 
been an empty form and meaningless ; and when the second cen- 
tennial of this goodly town shall be commemorated by those who 
shall have descended from you, my hearers, and the question be 
asked by them respecting you, their progenitors, "The Fathers, 
what were they," an answer may be returned, such as has been 
uttered to-day of our predecessors, even this, " Having fulflUed 
the mission assigned them in their several ages, and kept the faith 
alike with God and man, they rest from their labors ; and as for 
their works, they follow them." 



HON. C. E. LADD. 

Hon. Chas. R. Ladd, State Auditor, being introduced by the Presi- 
dent, said that he was not connected with Goshen by descent, mar- 
riage or residence, but he thought he could come in fairly under the 
head, " otherwise." He was glad to be here to meet his friend 
Barrus, President of the day, with whom he had been pleasantly asso- 
ciated two years since, while both were members of the General 
Court. They were often on opposite sides of questions under con- 
sideration, but Mr. Barrus would cnrry the day every time. 

Many years ago, being in need of rest, he decided to leave the 
city for a few days, during Independence week, for some quiet town 
where the usual din of celebration would not be found. He thought 
Goshen must be such a place, and to Goshen he came. But the 
church bell at midnight began to ring, and he found the Goshen 
boys full as patriotic, and as noisy in their demonstration, as the 
city boys. 



45 



EEV. D. W. WALDEON. 

Eev. D. W. Waldron, city missionary of Boston, spoke a few ear- 
nest words, embodying the tliought tliat righteousness exalteth a 
people, and urging the young to walk in that way. It is to be 
regretted that a full report of his brief address cannot be had. 

In introducing the next speaker the President said : 

Ladies and Gentlemen :— We have with us one of the ?olid men 
of Boston, a retired merchant, retired from business, but not from 
service, as you will understand, when 1 say he has served several 
terms in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Eepresentatives ; 
is one of the Trustees of Williams College and President of the 
College Alumni Association of Boston ; President of the Congrega- 
tional Club and of the City Missionary Society of Boston, a genuine 
Dative of Goshen, but who made the mistake of a life-time by being 
born in another town : the Hon. James White. 

After the applause, which greeted this announcement and the 
rising of the speaker, had subsided, Mr. White took the stand and 
spoke to the following effect. 



ADDKESS OF HON. JAMES WHITE. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — It would be more 
agreeable to me if some other than myself were here to speak for 
our family. Both of my sisters and my brother Joseph, who greatly 
desired to be present with you to-day, and was prevented by busi- 
ness engagements, are natives of this town ; but as our parents 
removed to Hinsdale two or three months before having a second 
son, it was no fault of mine that I was not born in Goshen. 

My father spent here the first forty years of his life, and was 



46 



never fully weaned from his early home. From him I was accus- 
tomed in boyhood to hear much about this i)eople, and from fre- 
quent visits at my uncle Benjamin's, it was my privilege to know 
some of them. To me, at that time, Goshen seemed a large part 
of the world outside my native town. I felt very much as one of 
my cousins expressed himself after his first visit to New York City. 
"He knew," he said, "that there were some folks down in Wil- 
liamsburg, and a good many in Northampton, but still before see- 
ing the city he had always supposed that the greater part of the 
people lived in Goshen." And to-day it does not seem strange to 
me to hear that so many of her sons and daughters have attained 
positions of eminence in the world. The conditions were here,^ 
they breathed this invigorating mountain air ; they climbed these 
hills and became physically strong ; they took in these magnificent 
views and got inspiration from them; they were trained to habits 
of industry and economy ; in the family, the school and the church, 
they were taught the great principles of morality and religion. 
Here were laid the foundations of those personal character, whose 
symmetry and beauty challenge our admiration. And for myself, as I 
failed to be born here, I want to say that I agree with a man who 
lived in the eastern part of the State, and was regarded by his neigh- 
bors as not ordinarily bright. They were accustomed to compliment 
him on his promising son, saying, among other pleasant things, that 
he ought to be educated, and were not careful to conceal their sur- 
prise that he should be the father of such a boy ; to whom he 
always replied : " Well, its all ' heredituari/.' " So, if you have not 
already forgotten the complimentary allusions of your presiding 
officer as he introduced me, you will please bear in mind that it is 
all " Jicrcdituary " and remember my indebtedness to those who 
lived in Goshen. 

It was the original purpose of my father and his twin brother, 
Benjamin, to obtain a liberal education. Alpheus Naramore, who 
married my aunt Marcy White, had been relied upon to carry on 
the farm and to care for the parents. His death, while they were 
preparing for college under the instruction of their pastor, Kev. 
Mr. Whitman, compelled them to change their plan and to become 
farmers. 

Before his removal to Hinsdale, my father, for several mouths, 



47 

kept the hotel at the centre of the town, but gave up the business 
because, as my mother says, '• he would not sell liquor." This was 
about fifty-live years ago, and, for that time, was a conspicuous 
example of temperance principles. I trust you will appreciate 
your obligations to my father for refusing to sell rum to your an- 
cestors. 



GOV. JOHN D. LONG. 

The arrival of the Governor led Mr. White to close his speech 
quite abruptly. His Excellency was greeted with three cheers 
from the large audience which had patiently waited his coming as 
one of the leading attractions of the day. The baud played " Hail 
to the Chief," and he was introduced to the audience amid rounds 
of applause. He spoke ten or fifteen minutes, and said many pleas- 
ant things, as he always does. He said that among the reasons 
why he was pleased to come, was the fact that he was born in just 
such a hill town in another State, and therefore the memories of 
his boyhood were brought vividly before him. He gave evidence 
of some familiaiity with the history of the town, and alluded to 
some of its early settlers, who came from Bridgewater, Abington, 
Weymouth, Cohasset, and Hingham where he now resides. He 
made an apt illustration of the large reservoir of water but a short 
distance from the grove, comparing it to the men found in the hill 
towns who have been to the commonwealth a reservoir of good 
character, of education, of industrial growth, and of those abiding 
principles which make the nation what it is. He reminded his 
hearers that the past with all its teachings has no effective value 
unless it furnishes lessons for the years to come ; lessons which 
shall continue to assist in developing the Christian virtues of the 
living. The people of these hills have made education the founda- 
tion stone of all their prosperity, and we must gather fruit from 
the past, and take cou^-age for the future. His remarks were lis- 



48 

tened to with close attention, the people pressing around bini as, 
mounted upon one of the tables on whirh the banquet had been 
spread beneath the towering mai)les, he addressed them. After 
his speech the Governor and his party partook of refreshments, 
and soon afterward returned to Northampton, where he spent the 
night with Councillor Edwards, going to the anniversary exercises 
at Mt. Holvoke Female Seminary the next day. 



SPEECH OF SILAS A. BUKGESS, ESQ. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — After having listened 
to the able historical oration, the interesting remarks and reminis- 
cences of the eminent clergymen, and the brilliant oratorical dis- 
plays of the ofl&cial gentlemen from the city of Boston; and having 
been soothed and charmed by the beautiful poems produced by the 
women, eminent in literature, whose nativity is an additional honor 
to this town ; and above all, having seen and heard His Excellency, 
the Governor, and listened with delight to his eloquent words, I 
can scarcely succeed in " making my little speech," except to aid 
in dispersing the people who have enjoyed the feast so richly fur- 
nished, consisting of bountiful supplies of food for both body and 
mind. 

But I am pleased and thankful to be permitted this opportunity 
of standing for a brief moment before you, upon my own native 
soil; and recalling the memories of my old school mates, with 
whom, during some six years of childhood, I was associated in the 
study of ''Webster's Spelling Book" and " Colburn's Arithmetic," 
m this beautiful old school house, in sliding down this hill where 
we now stand, in skating on yonder pond, and in climbing the sym- 
metrical beech, birch and maple trees of this beautiful grove, while 
flocks of native birds " discoursed the sweetest music!" Where 
BOW are those loved playmates? Some of them I have this day 
met on these grounds, and, although the frosts of some fifty winters 



49 



iiave whitened their lieads, still in their expression — the i)ecnli;ir 
twinkle of the eye, and the arching eyebrow — I recognize the same 
])lnyful spirit and youthful tiow of soul. The jokes, the l)oyish 
tricks and s[)eeches, and the never ending disposition to make fun, 
in and out of school ; the nick-names bestowed upon each boy and 
girl attending school by its leading spirit and " genius," have not 
been forgotten. But alas 1 some of those dear companions are not 
present, some have " gone to that bourne whence no traveller 
returns." Let us keep their memory fresh and sweet. 

For two things T am especially thankful and proud. First, that 
Ham a member of the great human family, and second, that I was 
born in this town of Goshen. The fundamental principles of our 
system of government are better understood and mo^-e uniformly 
practised by the inhabitants of such rural towns as Goshen, than 
by those of cities and manufacturing communities. The agricultu- 
ral pursuits and invigorating climate tend to develop, among these 
hills, a strong physifiue, sound judgment, high moral character, 
with ardent love for liberty and the cultivation of the principles of 
8(juity and self-government. Although Goshen cannot boast of 
large accumulations of money and property, she can point with 
becoming self-respect to her influence in sustaining order and good 
government, to her strict adherence to honesty and integrity in 
her methods of business and social intercourse, her industry and 
prudence ; and to the great and paramount fact, that to her people 
and those of similar character, citizens of this Republic, is due the 
existence, salvation, perpetuity and purity of our body politic, as 
established by our fathers, upon the one great Christian principle, 
that " All men are born free and equal ! " 

The magnitlcent works of art, displayed in the erection of 
ohurches and public buildings, the palatial residences with all their 
Mlliant surroundings, and high and fast styles of living, found in 
our large cities, are of much less worth and true value than the 
integrity, honesty, and-tirm moral character which are found so 
well developed among the people who inhabit these hills. Even 
the great city of New York is dependent, for its magnificence, its 
thought and character, and for its physical, intellectual and moral 
power, upon the rural districts, and could not sustain itself without 
these aids from beyond its boundaries, for a single tentury. His- 



50 

tory teaches that the customs of cities tend to the enervation autL 
deterioration of the people, wliile on the contrarj^, the habits and 
l)ursuits of the rural population promote vigor of both mind and 
body. The fate of old Eome is a conspicuous illustration of this 
important fact. Let us be thankful that our lives have been blessed 
with such an excellent nativity, that we have been taught to lov« 
and honor the glorious principles of liberty and eiiuality established 
and incorporated in the constitution and fundamental laws of our 
country. These priceless gifts are above all material value, they 
come from the spirit of Christ, and so long as these grand old hills 
shall continue to be inhabited by the descendants of the Puritan 
fathers and the heroes of i'/lC, teaching and practising the true 
principles of equality, righteousness and self-government, our Re- 
publican system is safe. 

Good-bye, and God be with you ! 



REV. VMOS DRESSER 

Spoke brielly but eloquently on the theme — '' Goshen's contribu- 
tion of men for the world'-^ conversion.'' It is regretted that no 
report of bis address was secured. 



MRS. MARTHA J. LAMB 

Read an exciuisite little poem, written while on her way from New 
York to the Centennial. The want of a copy prevents its publica- 
tion. 



51 



LETTERS AND SENTIMENTS. 

I/etters wore received from many former residents of the town 
and others, wbich, for want of time, were not publicly read. The 
following extracts from a large portion of them are of sufficient 
interest to be preserved as belonging to the occasion : 

^imes. lotva, June 10, 1881. 
- . . . Your carcl, inviting- me to join you in celebrating- the lOoth 
anniv<^.i'8ai-y of (Joslien from which I have been absent nearly thirty 
3-ears, vav^e me a degree of homesickness I never before experienced. 
.... Gosjien is represented from the Atlantic to the l^acitic, and I can- 
not recall a single person to mind who has gone out from her but who 
has been an honor to hei-. . . . While absent in body I shall be present 
J" ^Pint- H. K. Bakdwkll. 

Virden, III., April 18. 
.... Massachusetts, as a historic State, and Ooshen as a familiar 
town, are vividly associated with the traditional memories of my child- 
hood. The very names of your Comnuttee were among the familiar 
names I heard when " Uncle White," Mr. Dwight, Rev. Amos Dresser, 
and other Old Hampshire ('o. people came and talkedoverancient times 
with my parents in the old log house in Brecksville. f should lake 
most genuine pleasure in being present and seeing those rock-bound 
hills and the kindred faces so familiar and yet so unknown. . . . 

C. IT. 0>(;swKi.L. 

Pitls/ield, Jfass., .June. 17, 1881. 

Ai.VAX Hauuis. — M^ DkauSiu: — I have delayed till now an answer 
to your kind invitation to be present at the centenidal of your town on 
the •J'Jnd inst., In the hope that I could rind it in my power to attend. 
But professional engagements long deferred will deprives nie of that 
pleasure. The occasion cannot fail to be one of great interest to your 
town people, and the sons and daughters who shall then return to do 
honor to the venerable mother whose precepts and blessing they had 
trarried with them into the battle of life under other skies. 

To the godly life and the ever-present care and teaching*; of o\w, of 
the daiigbters of (ioshen I am indebted beyond measure or words, and 



to the liornc of my mother's early wouiaiihood I woiiid tnrn with some 
ofl'ering of homage and gratitude on its ceutenuiat birtliday. 

The town is the root and source of strength to the State — the springs 
which supply the stream. Take care that the root does not dry up and 
wither, and that the springs are kept ever full and clear. 

1 am truly yours, II. L. Dawes. 

Ann Arhor, Mich., June l-*^, 1881. 
Alvax Bakuls, Chairman of Committee. 

Dear Sir: — Your kind note, inviting me to participate in your cele- 
bration on the L'-2d inst.. came duly to hand. 

This request has awakened in my mind many memories l)oth sad and 
pleasing, that the lapse of years had quieted into peaceful but not alto- 
gether unconscious slumbers. 

Gosheu was the home of my parents and grandparents. Their ashes 
repose in your midst. It is also the place of my own nativity. There I 
spent my childhood, youth and early manhood. Not only the earliest 
but the dearest associations of my life are connected with her beautiful 
hills, her lovely A^alleys, her rocks and streams, her schools, her youth, 
her business men of more than half a century ago. 

Though none of the men and women, and but few of the children of 
those early days, will be there to celebrate Goshen's first centennial, I 
assure you that nothing could afford me more pleasure than to be one 
of your number were it reasonably possible. Since I left there, forty- 
seven years ago, for a home in the romantic and adventurous West, I 
have never failed but once to pay my friends and early home an annual 
visit,* At the present time, deeply as I regret it, my health is not suffi- 
cient to allow me the iileasure of uniting with you on this most inter- 
esting occasion. 

Hoping that your celebration may be the grandest, most inspiring 
day that dear old Goshen has ever seen, and that she may exist to cele- 
brate many like centennials, 

I remain, yours very truly, 

LiTHER James. 

* Mr. James so far recovered his licalth that he mailc liis annual visit to his native, 
town in the autumn of this year (1881). He was accompanied by his genial nephew, Mr. 
James L. Babcock, who spent a portion of his boyhood with liis grandparents in Goshen 
They were visiting friends in Boston, October 10. 

Kenosha, Wis.. June 20, 1881. 
.... I cannot be with you on the •J'Jd, but am impelled to bid you 
God-speed, and bow respectfully to the familiar hills and forests of 
Ooshen and the dear friends who live among them. 



58 



•' No lioiiu! is like onr cliililliood home, 

The praii-ies lilooni more fair, 
Ami greater wealtli of j^olrlen corn 

Tlieir fruitful furrows bear. 
15ut still we love that sterile land 

Of which the satirist's pen 
Declared the products were composed 

Of Granite, Ice an<l Men." 

Three generations of my ancestors rest in (tosIicii. But be not too 
sentimental. Our fathers fought for the fertile valleys of the Great 
AV^est. The flag of the nation floats over them. Encourage enough of 
the sons of New England to occupy them to Americanize the foreign 
innnigrants. and give our Anglo Saxon tone and stability to our politi- 
cal institutions. Aery truly yours, F. W. Lv-M.\x. 



(ireen field, June 20, 18si. 

.... It would afford me much pleasure to meet old friends, and min- 
gle in the festivities of the occasion. 

Much has been said within the past years of the decline of the Hill 
Towns. It is true the population has decreased to some extent during 
the last decides, but as regards intelligence, enterprise, and all those 
(|ua]ities which go to make a community truly happy and prosperous, I 
think the hill towns will compare favorably with other portions of our 
counlry, particularly the AVest, which boasts so much of its greatness 
and its glory. Where will you find a climate more healthy, or scenery 
so grand, picturesque and lovely as among the hill towMis of New Eng- 
land? As Bryant says in that beautiful Forest Hymn : 

•' Fit shrine for humble worshiper to hold 
Communion with his Maker."' 

Permit me to offer as a sentiment: The town of Ooshen — venerable 
in years, but still clothed in all the beauty of nature in her loveliest 
)nood. N'ery truly yours, Ij. L. I'ikuce. 



Siunderland, Jfass., April 18, 1881. 
.... When I tirst came to (Joshen, about seventy years ago, there 
were quite a number of rich men in the the town, according to the 
amount then thought to constitute riches. The inhabitants lived almost 
entirely upon the products of their farms, I'aising wool and flax, which 
the females spun and wove into cloth, furnishing employment at home, 
till ujurriage look them away to other homes. The young men were 



54 

not afraid to marry them lest ihey might not be able to support them, 
for tl)ey were helpmeets. Tliey were pretty, too, if they did wear 
pressed tlannel dresses in winter and linen in summer. Their surplus 
flannel and linen was exchanged with the merchant for calico or for 
cambric to be made into white dresse? to be worn on special occasions. 
The flannel for men's wear was sent to Maj. Stone's, who with his sons 
were noted clothiers, to be fulled, colored and dressed. " Butternut" 
color was the prevailing shade for every day wear; indigo blue for 
Sunday and other occasions. Meats were raised and fatted on the farm, 
the hides sent to the tannery to make leather for the boots and shoes to 
be made up for the families by the shoe maker, who often came to the 
homes to do the work. Money was obtained by selling a colt, or cow, 
or oftencr a pair of oxen, to the river town farmers to be fattened for 
the Boston market. 

A marked change has taken place in public opinion, since those years, 
regarding the use of intoxicating drinks. In those earlier days minis- 
ters and people, male and female, old and young, with few exceptions, 
thought spirituous liquors almost as necessary as their daily food. It 
is a wonder that under such conditions, with the added temptation of 
cider to help form and keep the appetite, that we did not become a com- 
munity of drunkards. 

In 1813 a fever prevailed which carried ott'a number of people, young 
and old. Another in 1824, was still more fatal. In a few months there 
were nineteen deaths of persons between the ages of sixteen and 
twenty-rive years. -T. Miltox Smith. 

Jloli/oke, Juve 20, \8Sl. 

Mr. Alvan Baukus, My Dear Sir: — Please accept thanks on behalf 
of your associate committee for their cordial invitation to participate 
in the centennial celebration of your town. 

My former somewhat jjrolonged residence there, and the large exi>e- 
rience of my family of the generosity and hospitality of its inhabitants, 
together with the abidin;/ interest I have ever cherished in what ever 
promised to contribute to ho* prosperity and honor, have enkindled 
within me an earnest desire to accept of your invitation, and participate 
in this joyous occasion. But the fatigues of a long journey, just 
endured, together with the infirmities of age, which are now walking 
with me hand in hand, constrain me to forego the pleasure. But allow 
me to give you the following sentiment for your consideration, to wit: 
Goshen's honored dead in the last century. Happy and honorable will 
be the Goshen of the coming century if they shall maintain the virtues 
of those who have preceded them in the past century. 

Wishing you much joyous satisfaction on the memorable 22,0, iust.. 



55 

»llovv me to subscribe myself cordially your friend and former pastor 
of the church in Goshen. J. C. Thompson. 

Cobden, Union Co.. III., June 10, issi . 
.... I must forego the pleasure of meeting the few surviving friends 
of nearly fifty years ago. The memories of my own native town are 
no more sacred to me than those of Goshen, for there I found my better 
lialf in the person of one of her best and fairest daughters, a full length 
portrait of whom may be found in Prov. ol:10-ol. The first day of 
December next will be the fiftieth anniversary of our wedding, and about 
six months later we united with the Congregational church. Three of 
our nine children were born in Goshen. The mother and four children 
the Master has taken to the mansions above. If I am permitted to sec 
the olst day of August I shall enter my 80th year. God is satisfying 
me with long life, a happy old age, and has shown me his salvation. I 
have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that I have 
committed to Him against that day. E. W. Toavnk. 

So. Deer field, Mass., June 20, 1881. 
.... On your ancient hills njy honored father* was born in 1792. 
Of eleven children in his father s family only two survive. . . . Could 
we but lift the veil and catch some open vision of those early days of 
the lives and homes of those heroic sons of toil who broke your hardy 
and rocky soil, planted the church and dotted your hills with school 
houses, it would be a pleasure indeed. They have left a good record 
and are resting in the Morning Land. 

'• And as the rolling years .shall pass, 
And new-born ages rise, 
As other generations look 
Upon these hills and skies;"' 

may your record in the coming century stand as fair and bright as those 
who left their impress on the past. Mis.s L. E. Williams. 

Fon da Lac. Wis.. Jane is, 1881. 
Gentlemkn:— Your kind invitation to be present and participate in 
your celebration is received. Although some flfty years have passed 
since I left your good old town, high up on the mountains (being at 
that time eleven years of age) . my recollection of persons and places arc 
most pleasant. It Avould give me great pleasure to revisit the scenes 
where some seven of the hai)piest years of my childhood were ^pent; to 
take by the hand some of my old playmates, as I presume not all have 

* Mr. Artcnias Williams. . 



o() 



yet passed away; to do reverence perhaps to some grey heads now weU 
ripened for the g-rave, who were then heads of families and active menr 
bers of the chnrch to which my long-sainted father thvu ministered, 
though almost two generations have gone. 

liegretting my inability to be with yon on that joyous occasion, I 
remain, with best wishes for the prosperity, civil and religious of old 
(Joshcn. Yours truly, 

T. Si'ExcEU Wkigiit, M. D. 

Jlills Seminary, California. April 28, 1881. 
.... It would give me sincere pleasure to unite with you in the fes- 
tivities of the occasion, and if possible I would take " the wings of tlie 
morning" and be there, — and will be in spirit at least. 

Ella M. Pinkiiam. 

West JSew Brighton, Staten Jsland, iY. Y., Jane 20, 1881. 
My Deau Sir: — I am sincerely obliged by the invitation to come up 
to Goshen on the 2-2d, and take part in the celebration of the hundredth 
anniversary of her incorporation. lama summer neighbor and lover 
of the old town, and I should most gladly come up and tell my love it 
it were possible. I can, however, only send you my best wishes. 
Goshen, by the career of many of her children, has proved that a city 
set upon a hill cannot be hid; and I trust you will not suspect my tem- 
perance principles, if I hope that all her living children may get as higJi 
as their mother in the world around them. 
Very truly yours, 

Ge<)U(;e AVilllxm Ciirris. 
Alvan Bavahs, for the Committee. 

Dennis. Jfass, April 2(i, 18S1. 
.... I certainly ought to be reckoned among those '"interested '" in 
your town, although I cannot claim to have resided in Goshen, or to 
have connection by marriage or descent. Yet the •* otherwise " inter- 
ested will justify my claim. I am aware that Goshen lies adjoining 
Ashlield and that town was settled mainly by families from Dennis. 
.... Thirty-nine years next November since I tirst visited your hills, 
and my memory is fresh and vivid with the recollections of that delight- 
ful winter spent among your people. Since that time I have sailed far 
and wide, and mixed with many races, but nowhere upon the green 
earth have I found warmer hearts or more intelligent heads than among 
the hills of Hampshire County. I have the kindest recollections of its 
people, and hope the town of Goshen will enter upon its second cen- 
turv with bright prospects and high hopes. 

Thos p. Howes. 



57 

Boston April 20. 1881. 
.... As I am not interested in the town by " residence, marriage or 
descent," I conid onlv claim an interest "otherwise" — as for instance, 
from a pleasant acquaintance with " Mr. Barrns of Goshen.'' I slioukl 
be happy to make tlial an excuse for attending if I could spare tlie time. 
If I can I will. Geo. A. Harden. 

{Clerk of the Mass. House of Jiepresentatires.) 

State House, Boston, April 19, ISSl. } 

O0ce of Secretary of the C'onimonvealth. ) 

1 cannot claim to be a son of Goshen at the time of your anniversary. 

unless meantime the town should adopt me, in which event T would 

come up, bring the original charter and read it, if the committee on 

order of exercises should so arrange. 

Henry 1>. Pier(;e, 

Boston , J line -21, 1881. 
.... I depended on peeing your town and youi" people. Perhaps I 
.should have found some message from the Plymouth Pilgrims to the 
])eoi)le of the hill towns, who, I believo, stand pretty tirmly by the faith 
of the Pilgrims. But the railroads which generally favor communica- 
tion, keep me away, and I can only send regrets, and a hope that there 
may be ** no hail in Cioshen," nor anything to mar the pleasures of the 
day. Tiio.M.\s Russell. 

Boston, April \^,\'r^H\. 
.... The one-hundredth birthday of a Massachusetts town is always 
» matter of more than local interest: and the acknowledged beauty of 
youi' portion of the State, especially in the month of June, enhances 
my long-felt desire to be present at your centennial. 1 shall try to 
avail myself of the privilege now so kindly offered me. 

A. J. C. Sow[)ON. 

Billerica, June l.i, 1881. 

Gentj.e.men: — 1 am sorrV to say that business engagements will jire- 
vent an acceptance of your invitation to be present on Wednesday nexjt. 
It was my fortune when a young man to have among my acquaintances 
some of the good people of your town, and I have always felt a special 
interest in its welfare ; and J much regret that 1 cannot be present on 
the coming festival occasion. 

I hope every thing will pass ofl' as well as the most enthusiastic 
friends of Goshen can desire. Thomas Tali'.ot. 



58 



Boston, April 18, 1881. 
.... Your very kind invitation to all persons interested in your beau- 
tiful town, either by residence, marriage, descent or otherwise, to par- 
ticipate in the celebration of the one liuudredth anniversary of her 
incorporation, is received. I am '"otherwise'' interested in Goshen, 
inainly through my respect and esteem for your chairman, and I regret 
that 1 shall be unable to witness your festivities. May the success of 
your celebration be unrivalled, and may the town of Goshen enter, 
under the happiest auspices, upon her second century. 
With sincere regard and many thanks for your courtesy, 
^'cry respectfully yours. 

Li: VI C. Wadk. 



r)9 



INCIDENTS OF THE CENTENNIAL. 

Hod. Henry B. Pierce, Secretary of the Commonwealth, sent a 
beautiful /ac siniilc copy of the original act of incorporation of the 
town, which was not received in season to be used in the exercises, 
but which will be duly framed and preserved for use at the next 
centennial. The Secretary had intended to be present and read the 
document as announced, but sent his regrets at his inability to be 
present on account of the severe illness of his wife. 

Eepresentative Sidney Strong of Northampton placed the people 
of Goshen and vicinity under lasting obligations, which they fully 
appreciate, for his successful efforts in enabling Governor Long to 
be present at the centennial. When it was known that the Gover- 
nor was to attend the graduating exercises at the Agricultural Col- 
lege in Amherst in the forenoon of that day, many thought that he 
would not be able to reach Goshen before the close of the exercises, 
if at all. Mr. Strong saw the dilemma, and kindly perfected 
arrangements, on his own responsibility, by which the Governor was 
able to fulfil his appointment on time. He was brought over from 
Amherst in company with Councillor Woods, and from Northamp- 
ton he was taken in Jacob Holley's elegant turnout to Goshen. He 
was accompanied from Amherst by Adjutant-General A. Hun Berry, 
and from Northampton by Representative Strong and Ex-Councillor 
Edwards. The Governor, on being told how much the people of 
Goshen had set their hearts upon his being with them at their cel- 
ebration, made special exertions to comply with their wishes. In 
order to do that, he was compelled to give up his dinner until such 
time as he could reach Goshen, which was neaT-ly 1 o'clock. And 
then, the impatient people there, who had been looking for him all 
day, called upon him for a speech before he had had an opportunity 
to get anything to eat. The Governor will always be kindly remem- 
bered by the people of Goshen. 

Among the noticeable features of the occasion was the presence 
of a large number of veterans of the late war under command of 



60 



Capt. Tilestoii of AVilliamsburg. They niarclied iu the procession 
and were provided with entertainment at the tables. The lateness 
of the hour prevented a full report as to the dififerent regiments 
represented, which was prepared by Oapt. Tileston. The intended 
recognition of the soldiers by appropriate addresses was conse- 
quently omitted, but was splendidly atoned for by a few eloijuent 
words from Gov. Long, to whom they were severally introduced. 

Among the distinguished persons from abroad who were pre- 
vented from si)eaking by want of time, were Gen. H. S. r)riggs, Adj. 
Gen. A. Hun Berry, Dea. Benj. F. Burgess of Boston, Gen. Otis of 
Florence, Editor H. S. Gere, and Col. J. B. Parsons of Northampton, 
Capt. Kichmond of Shelburne Falls, a native of the town, Rev. B. 
F. Parsons of Georgia, H. L. Xaramore of Sharon, Mass., Charles H. 
Shaw, Es(i., of Meriden, Conu., Miles Farr of St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., 
Lewis Parsons of Minnesota, and others. The prominent citizens 
of all the surrounding towns were pi'esent, and many from towns 
more distant. 

The oldest native of the town present was Mrs. Dolly White 
Engram of Chestertield, wife of Otis Engrara, her age being nearly 
*)2 years. 

Mr. Eben Edwards of Northampton added materially to the bill 
of fare at the dinner in the grove, by i)resenting a quantity of ripe,, 
luscious straw l)erries. 

Mr. Luther .Tames of Ann Arbor, Mich., responded to his -'Wel- 
come Home" by sending a check for lifty dollars towards defray- 
ing the expen.ses of the day, regretting very much his inability to 
be present. 



61 



(Extracts from the Si)r'ni<ifi(:l(( f'nion.j 
GOSHEN'S CENTENNIAL. 

\ HAIM'Y DAY FOlt THK TIILL IMVKLLKKS. 

(Kroni (iinowii ItuporU'r). 

GosJieu, Wednesday, June 2-1, issj. 
The good town of (iosheu, high ou the hills of Western Hamit- 
shire, celebrated, to-day, with appropriate oWservances, the 100th 
anniversary of its municipal existence, and a right joyous occasion 
it has been, an anniversary significant with much of historic inter- 
est. Coming here, to-day, to lind banners, music, a procession, an 
assemblage of thousands, well-prepared addresses, and a royal feast 
not exceeded in abundance and richness by '' the fat of the land"' 
of that other Goshen of ancient days, one would be struck witii 
wonder and ask, ''What does all this mean f '' He would have been 
tilled with wonder that should give place to admiration as the his- 
torian of the day recounted the deeds of the fathers, and song ami 
other ceremonials made known the full significance of the occasion. 
Such a lesson was this centennial to any present who might ha\e 
disposed to sneer at "that little town of Goshen." Subtracting, if 
need be, something for local pride, the centennial of this town gives, 
with similar occasions in other towns, an index to the importance 
of those communities in the make-up of the whole body politic of 
the State, and points to the source of much that is best in New 
New England life. 

Goshen was, of course, represented by the " whole happy popu- 
lation." Cummington, which celebrated its centennial but a few 
years ago, was largely represented on this occasion, and some came 
from Worthington, Plaintield, Ashtield, Hawley, Conway, Williams- 
burg and Northampton. For a week or more the stages traversing 
the mountain routes have been bringing home the sons and daugh- 
ters of the town, and on every hill and in every glade the dwellings 
have witnessed the greetings of re-united families, a pleasant fore- 
taste of the joyous demonstration of to-day. 
IJright and early, in spite of the severe and unseasonable cold, 



62 

the people of Goshen jiiid a dozen other towns began to assemble, 
this morning, at the Center, to be ready to join in the procession 
at 10 o'clock, to march, under the marshalship of Mr. Lyman, three- 
fourths of a mile north-west to the grove selected as the place of 
meeting, where a platform and seats had been prepared for the lit- 
erary exercises, with five long tables not far away for the spread, 
prepared with a great deal of painstaking by the ladies of Goshen. 

Ex-Representative Alvan Barrus was [(resident of the day, and 
otticiated with promptness and propriety on the occasion, welcoming 
the people in a neat and appropriate address, and handling the 
details of the programme with good taste. Rev. J. E. M. Wright, 
the new pastor of the old church, who officiated as chaplain of the 
day, came to Goshen from Needham, and passed his boyhood days 
in Jackson, Me., with Dr. Ezra Abbott of the New Testament revis- 
ion committee. Rev. Mr. Wiight wrote the centennial hymn for 
the occasion, which was sung to the tune of America by Edward 
Packard, Rufus C. Dresser and others, the audience Joining. Rev. 
Dr. D. (jr. Wright, a cultured clergyman of the Episcopal denomina- 
tion, and rector of the Poughkeepsie fem;de academy, was present 
to bring out " refreshing remembrances " of .30 years iigo in the 
town of his boyhood, and he did his part well. 

The historian of the centennial was Hiram Barrus of Boston, who 
gave his hearers correct pictures of the homes of the fathers, and 
to their inspection and admiration portraits of the old worthies. 
The speaker noted the great interest taken in the cause of missions 
from the first by the Goshen church, of which the first pastor was 
Rev. Samuel Whitman, who preached here 30 years. His home was 
the house tor so many years occupied by Emmons Putney, on the 
main road, not far from the center, and which Mr. Putney is, by the 
way, a man of no little importance. For well nigh 30 years he had 
to do with school matters of the town as general committee, he has 
kept correct weather statistics for 50 years daily, that half century 
being an addition to the record of 30 years kept by his grandfather, 
Oliver Taylor, one of the first deacons of the church. Mr. Putney 
points to the spot (at the corners north of Amos Hawks's) where 
stood the house inhabited in other days by Adam Seals, one of the 
men who had a hand in throwing overboard the tea in Bostort 
harbor. 

It would be wholly unfair to omit mention of the happy rhythnuc 



()3 

ofieriug by Mrs. Martha .1. Lamb for the town ol'her girlliood on its 
gala day. 

The people all regretted that death had removed from the towu 
one long known to them, who had anticipated mnch participating 
in the songs of the centennial celebration, Maj. Joseph Hawks. 
His Highland House was thronged with visitors on that day and for 
a week, and besides that many of the people in town kept open 
bouse. Some of the visitors remain over until next week. Among 
those present at the centennial none of those, not ^' to the manor 
born," more thoroughly enjoyed the exercises nor more correctly 
gathered from them the true siguiticance of New England life and 
its institutions than did Prof. Arnold A. Zuellig of Switzerland, who, 
during his sojourn in America, is teaching .at Boston, and spendinj.^ 
the vacation at the Goshen hotel. 



G4 



HISTORY OF GOSHEN. 

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 

A few errors occur in the History of Gosheu, which the author 
takes this opportunity to correct. 

Page 121, line 10, change 1848 to 1838, 

" 148, " 27, '' " Professor in Harvard " to Assistant 
librarian in Boston Public Library. 

Page 1G2, line 8, change 18.30 to i860. 
" 164, " 2.3, '' Feb. 3 to Jan. 14. 
" " " 27, " to Cyrus E. died Aug. 10, 1860. 
<' " '' 26, " " near Rochester " to Iliou, Herkimer 
GO. 

Page 220, lines 27, 28, 29, change 1827 to 1831. 
" " " 19, should perhaps be Jau. 5. 

Miss Emily Joy who married C. C. Grugan had .3 children — 2 sons 
and S daughters. The sons, Frank C. and Harry T., returned from 
Europe, where they had been educated, soon after the breaking out 
of the civil war. Both enlisted in the service of their country. 
Fi-ank was one of the stafif of Gen. Meade till the close of the war, 
when he entered the regular service and was on duty in the Yellow- 
stone region for some time, and was afterward transferred to the 
Signal Corps Department in Philadelphia. He had charge of that 
department in the Centennial Exhibition, and is now in the service 
at Fortress Monroe. Harry T. was a faithful and favorite clerk in 
the War Department for some years, and died in otfice. Mr. C. C. 
G-rugan, the father, died Nov., 1876. 

It is said that Prudence White, a Goshen girl, was the grand- 
mother of Rev. Daniel Merriman of Worcester and of Rev. Dr. W. 
E. Merriman, formerly president of Ripon college, Wisconsin. 




LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 078 510 6. 



